Nigerian Govt  Announces Education Policy on Reusable Textbooks, Graduation Ceremonies, Others

Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has unveiled its policy on reusable textbooks, in order to make it possible for siblings to share textbooks within the school curriculum.

By this policy framework textbooks will be used for up to four to six years within the school curriculum.

The government believes that the initiative will lower spendings on buying textbooks by parents as well as reduce waste in the school system.

The policy is 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 the strengthening of quality assurance mechanisms.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, said that the development forms part of the ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector and ease financial burden of buying textbooks on families.

Government made the declaration in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, on Friday.

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.

“Our goal is to ensure that education is both qualitative and affordable,” the government explained, stressing: “By transitioning to durable, reusable textbooks, we are making it possible for siblings to share materials, significantly lowering recurring costs for parents and reducing waste within the school system.”

This approach is intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused across multiple academic sessions, thereby supporting environmental sustainability, the authorities elaborated.

As part of the education sector reform, the ministers declared that the Federal Government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.

In addition, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to alleviate unnecessary financial pressure on parents.

According to the authorities, “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.

“We must distinguish between milestones and routine transitions. By limiting formal graduations to exit classes, we are protecting parents from the frequent, high-cost celebrations that have become a burden rather than a joy.

“We must distinguish between milestones and routine transitions. By limiting formal graduations to exit classes, we are protecting parents from the frequent, high-cost celebrations that have become a burden rather than a joy.”

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