Abia Govt Bans Multiple Textbooks Per Subject, Orders Separation of Workbooks

The Abia State Government has directed publishers to separate workbooks from textbooks supplied to schools in the state to ensure that learning materials remain reusable for other pupils.

The government also prohibited schools from recommending up to four different textbooks for one subject, a practice it described as financially burdensome to parents.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Goodluck Ubochi, issued the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by his ministry. He reminded participants that Governor Alex Otti had declared free and compulsory education for pupils in primary and junior secondary schools.

Ubochi stressed the importance of government-approved examinations, including the PSLAT for Primary 6, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for JSS 3, and the mandatory assessment for SS2 students before registering for WAEC.

The Commissioner further warned against child hawking and loitering during school hours, stating that Education Marshals have been mandated to identify defaulters and hold parents or guardians accountable. He urged parents to enroll their children in schools to avoid sanctions.