By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government has unveiled a new education policy aimed at reducing the financial burden of schooling for parents while improving learning outcomes.

The policy emphasizes high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years, making them reusable across multiple academic sessions.

Announcing the initiative, the Ministry of Education said the move would curb frequent, unnecessary textbook changes and prevent the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with core textbooks, which often increases costs for families.

“The policy seeks to ensure that textbooks are durable, reusable, and aligned with national quality standards, while also reducing recurring expenses for parents,” the Ministry stated.

Key Features of the Policy

Durable Textbooks:

Textbooks will now be designed to last 4–6 years, depending on quality and curriculum needs.

Uniform Academic Calendar: The policy introduces a consistent academic calendar across all states to streamline learning.

Graduation Ceremonies Limited to Terminal

Classes: Only Primary 6, JSS3, and SSS3 students will have graduation events, reducing unnecessary expenses.

Quality Oversight: The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will oversee textbook approvals and quality assurance.

The Federal Government emphasized that the policy is not a law passed by the National Assembly but an executive initiative aimed at improving the education system and reducing costs for families nationwide.

Impact
Education experts say the move could save parents billions of naira annually and encourage more sustainable practices in schools, while students benefit from more consistent and durable learning materials.