In view of the confusion plaguing the choice of study materials in both primary and secondary schools, the Federal Government directed the Nigeria Education, Research and Development Council, NERDC to maintain its function of approving textbooks to curtail proliferation and ensure standards are maintained.
Against this backdrop, a school proprietor, Mr. Ernest Ihemeje described the move as a welcome development, noting that such a decision would streamline the number of subjects and books used in schools.
“I support the policy because this system of any publisher bringing up any textbook putting it in the market may be meeting one or two persons in the ministry to approve it, and the children would be asked to buy.
This policy would check this kind of situation. I think that the Federal Government should look for a way to make sure that the implementation is effective”, he explained.
On her part, a parent, Mrs Chioma Imapidoh explained that the policy came at the right time, which serves as a relief to parents, especially now that the country is passing through economic hardship.
It is a beautiful one, a beautiful development indeed. We have been complaining even before now, how can parents buy different books for three different children in such a way that the books can’t be reused by any of the younger siblings.
This policy would help us as parents to reduce our burden”, she stressed.
An educationist, Dr. Maurice Ogwu who highlighted the demerits of the policy, identified corruption as one of the pitfalls.
“The publishers have to spend more money to ensure a standard for their books to be ranked high. It will also reduce the variety in the learning materials.
Then the frequent changes can confuse schools, and the delay in approval will also affect the publishers and writers”, he stated.
Speaking on the ranking system of textbooks, a student, Abulome Treasure hailed the Federal Government’s initiative.
“The policy is okay because the books are much and the prices are high, so not everybody has the money to acquire them”, she noted.
Another student, Samuel Praise said the ranking system would make academic work less cumbersome.
“It reduces the workload on us, we will be able to study more and concentrate on lesser number of subjects”, he emphasised.
According to the Federal Government, the National Textbook Ranking System would be implemented in September this year after the stakeholders’ evaluation framework, this are Emmanuel Njoku thoughts.
