The Federal Government has barred graduation ceremonies for pupils below Primary Six and directed schools to adopt the use of durable, reusable textbooks as part of new reforms aimed at reducing education costs and improving learning outcomes.
The new policy framework was announced on Friday by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d.
The reforms are designed to ease the financial burden on parents, enhance teaching quality, and promote sustainability within the school system.
Under the 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.
The government said the move would curb excessive and unnecessary graduation events that place financial pressure on families.
The policy also mandates the use of standardised, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years.
Schools have been expressly prohibited from bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice the government said forces parents to make repeated annual purchases.
According to the ministers, the initiative will allow textbooks to be reused across multiple academic sessions, enable siblings to share learning materials, significantly lower recurring education expenses, and reduce waste.
As part of the broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.
The ministers explained that the new framework addresses long-standing concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions that compel parents to buy new books yearly without meaningful improvements in content.
Under the policy, textbook revisions will only be approved when they reflect substantial enhancements rather than minor changes in layout or pagination.
This, the government said, would extend the lifespan of approved textbooks and offer better value for money.
The reforms also place 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 measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to oversee the assessment and quality assurance of instructional materials, working with relevant agencies to ensure alignment with the national curriculum.
Reaffirming its commitment to education reform, the Federal Government commended the Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other technical partners for their roles in developing the new framework.
The ministers stressed that the policy reflects the government’s resolve to protect educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and guarantee that learners nationwide have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning.
