By Joy Yesufu
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 Nigerian schools through the adoption of reusable, high-quality textbooks and stronger quality assurance mechanisms.
The policy, jointly issued by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, is part of ongoing reforms to reposition the education sector and ease the growing financial burden on families.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
Under the new policy, schools are required to prioritise standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks has been expressly prohibited.
“Our goal is to ensure that education is both qualitative and affordable,” the ministers said.
“By transitioning to durable, reusable textbooks, siblings can share learning materials, significantly reducing recurring costs for parents and cutting down waste within the school system.”
The government explained that the policy is also designed to promote environmental sustainability by ensuring that learning materials are reused across multiple academic sessions.
As part of broader reforms, the Federal Government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.
Graduation ceremonies have also been streamlined to reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
Under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3) will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies.
“We must distinguish between milestones and routine transitions,” the ministers said.
“By limiting formal graduations to exit classes, we are protecting parents from frequent, high-cost celebrations that have become a burden rather than a joy.”
The policy further strengthens the assessment, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials across the country, addressing longstanding concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions and weak quality standards.
“We are putting an end to the era of superficial revisions that compel parents to buy new books annually without any real improvement in learning outcomes,” the ministers stated.
“Nigerian students deserve instructional materials that meet international standards of quality and durability.”
A key provision of the framework is the introduction of structured and meaningful revision cycles, requiring that textbook updates reflect substantial content improvements rather than minor changes in layout or pagination. This measure is expected to extend the lifespan of approved textbooks and offer better value for money.
The policy also places limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania. The ministers said this would improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection for schools and education authorities.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in evaluating and approving instructional materials, working with relevant agencies to ensure that only curriculum-aligned, high-quality textbooks are used nationwide.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to education reform and commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), NERDC, and other technical partners for their contributions to the development of the policy.
The ministers concluded by reiterating the Federal Government’s resolve to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning.
