FG Unveils New Education Policy to Ease Parents’ Financial Burden

FG Unveils New Education Policy to Ease Parents’ Financial Burden
Schools are to adopt standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between 4 and 6 years
Graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to curb unnecessary financial pressure on parents

The Federal Government has introduced a new policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools through the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks and stronger quality assurance measures.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the policy, jointly issued by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suiwaba Sai’d, is part of ongoing reforms targeted at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and easing the financial burden on families.

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Under the new framework, schools are to adopt standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between 4 and 6 years.

The policy also prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a move intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused across several academic sessions.

The Ministers explained that the initiative would allow siblings to share textbooks, significantly cut recurring education costs for parents, and reduce waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.

As part of the wider reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.

In addition, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to curb unnecessary financial pressure on parents. According to the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies.

The policy further strengthens the assessment, selection, and quality assurance processes for textbooks and instructional materials across the country.

The Ministers noted that the reforms address long-standing concerns over frequent but superficial textbook revisions, weak ranking standards, and practices that compel parents to purchase new textbooks annually without meaningful improvements in content or learning outcomes.

A major feature of the framework is the introduction of structured and meaningful revision cycles. Textbook revisions must now reflect substantial improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination, a measure expected to extend the lifespan of approved textbooks and offer better value for money.

FG Unveils New Education Policy to Ease Parents’ Financial Burden

The Ministers also disclosed that the policy sets limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices adopted in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania. This is expected to enhance 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 assessing and approving instructional materials, working with relevant education agencies to ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned textbooks are used in schools nationwide.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to education reform and commended the Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other technical partners for their contributions to the development of the new policy.

The Ministers reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to protect educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning.