- Safiu Kehinde
Anambra state government has banned the practice of writing assignments in textbooks.
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced the directive on Thursday.
Chuma-Udeh, while addressing participants on the third day of a capacity-building workshop organised by the Ministry of Education for private school proprietors and teachers at St. John of God Secondary School, Awka, described the practice as wasteful and unsustainable.
The initiative, according to her, is part of the state government’s strategy to ease financial pressure on families while promoting quality and sustainable education.
Chuma-Udeh urged parents, teachers, and school administrators to strictly comply with the directive as she warned that the government would not tolerate any form of non-compliance.
The Commissioner further explained that the decision was aimed at making textbooks reusable, particularly for younger siblings of pupils who would need them when they progress to the next class.
She also harped on the need for textbooks to be inclusive, reflecting diversity, equality, and the needs of all learners.
Chuma-Udeh also announced the ban of what she described as “incessant and unnecessary” graduation parties in nursery and primary schools.
This, according to her, was borne out of complaints from parents about the financial pressures such events place on households and warned that the state would not turn a blind eye to defaulters.
“It has come to the notice of the state government that graduation parties have turned out to be avenue for financial exploitation by some school owners, and the government can no longer keep quiet over the issue.
“Teaching and running a school is a divine call and should not be mortgaged for financial gains.
“Indulging in such runs contrarily to the mission and vision of the government as regards making education accessible and equitable for Anambra state age school students.” She said.