The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a new education policy aimed at making learning more affordable, sustainable, and effective. The move focuses on durable, reusable textbooks and stronger quality control, promising relief for parents and better learning for students.
Key Highlights:
- Durable Textbooks: Textbooks must last 4–6 years, allowing siblings to share materials and reducing recurring costs. Disposable workbooks are no longer bundled with textbooks.
- Structured Revisions: Only substantive content updates are allowed—no more minor changes marketed as new editions.
- Limited Approved Textbooks: Caps on the number of textbooks per subject will simplify selection and improve quality, following global best practices.
- Uniform Academic Calendar: Ensures consistent teaching, learning, and school planning across Nigeria.
- Graduation Streamlining: Only Primary 6, JSS3, and SSS3 students hold formal graduations to reduce unnecessary financial pressure.
- Quality Oversight: The NERDC will continue to assess and approve textbooks that meet curriculum and international standards.
Why This Matters:
For years, Nigerian families faced high costs due to frequent, superficial textbook revisions and the rise of “disposable” workbooks. The traditional “hand-me-down” approach—where older siblings passed books to younger ones—was largely lost.
This policy restores affordability, sustainability, and fairness, ensuring students have access to materials that genuinely support learning outcomes.
Government Statement:
“Our goal is to ensure education is both qualitative and affordable. By transitioning to durable, reusable textbooks, siblings can share materials, lowering costs and reducing waste within the school system,” said the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
Moving Forward:
The Federal Ministry of Education, with partners like UBEC and NERDC, will oversee the rollout of this policy nationwide. The aim is clear: high-quality, long-lasting textbooks that improve learning and ease the financial burden on parents.
With these reforms, Nigerian schools can look forward to a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable education system.
