FG Adopts Re-usable Textbooks Policy To Reduce Cost Of Education

The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education through the adoption of reusable, high-quality textbooks and strengthened quality assurance mechanisms.

A statement in Abuja says the policy, jointly issued by the Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa and the Minister of State for Education Prof Suwaiba Sai’d, forms part of ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector and ease the financial burden on families.

The statement issued by the Director Press and Public Relation in the ministry, Mrs Boriowo Folashade quotes the Ministers as saying that 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 them, the initiative allows siblings to share textbooks, significantly lowers recurring education costs for parents, and reduces waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.
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It adds that the Federal Government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.

It also states that graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to curb unnecessary financial pressure on parents, adding thatr in the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3, JSS3 and Senior Secondary School 3, SSS3bare permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.

The Ministers further emphasised that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide.

The reforms respond 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.

A key provision of the policy is the introduction of structured and meaningful revision cycles, hence under the new framework, 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.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to education renewal and reform and commended the Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other technical partners, for their contributions to the development of the new policy framework.

The Ministers reaffirmed the Federal 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/Nkiruka Okeke