The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools through the adoption of reusable, high-quality textbooks and strengthened quality assurance mechanisms.
A statement by the Director of Press and Public, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, explains that this is part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the education sector and easing the financial burden on families.
It says the policy prioritises the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while expressly prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
According to the statement, the initiative allows siblings to share textbooks, lowering recurring education costs for parents and reducing waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.
It also states that a uniform academic calendar has been introduced to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.
It highlights that the policy introduces limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices.
This measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes for schools and education authorities.
A key provision of the framework is a structured and meaningful revision cycle, where textbook revisions must reflect substantive improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination, thereby extending the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensuring better value for money.
It says under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
The statement emphasises that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide.
It says the reform responds to longstanding concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions, weak ranking standards, and practices that compel parents to purchase new textbooks annually without corresponding improvements in content or learning outcomes.
The statement explains that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in the assessment and quality assurance of instructional materials, working closely with relevant education agencies to ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved for use in schools nationwide.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Government’s resolve to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning outcomes.
PR/Patience Olumati
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