OYHA Moves To Ensure Reuse Of Textbooks In Schools, Pushes For Policy Enforcement

The Oyo State House of Assembly
has expressed its full support for a policy that mandates the reuse of textbooks in public and private schools in the state, as part of decisive measures toward easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.

This resolution followed the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Education during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, which recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology take urgent steps to implement the policy and ensure strict compliance among schools.

The committee maintained that the practice of rendering textbooks obsolete after one academic session, has become a major concern for parents and guardians, who struggle to meet the cost of education materials, noting that the reusable textbooks, will serve multiple students over time and make learning more affordable, as well as reducing waste.

To enhance transparency, the committee said the Ministry will publish the list of approved textbooks and workbooks for the 2026 academic session through both online and offline channels, with one-year grace for publishers to exhaust old stocks and meet new publishing criteria, after which
regular monitoring visits to schools, bookstores, and distribution centers will be conducted to ensure that only the approved materials are in circulation.

The Committee also commended the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for prioritizing an inclusive and a sound education policy of his administration, urging the Executive Arm of Government to strengthen enforcement strategies, support the Ministry’s Quality Assurance Department, and ensure that all stakeholders avoid non-compliant materials.

The lawmakers however emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders on the benefits of reusable textbooks and the long-term value they offer in improving access to quality education.

The House further charged the Ministry to monitor compliance and sanction schools that continue to defy the directive, adding that regulations should be backed with clear guidelines to standardize reusable textbook production and usage.

While commending the committee for its proactive work, the Speaker, Hon. Ogundoyin, noted that the Assembly was committed to supporting reforms that will reduce burdens on parents and guardians, stressing that the reduction in the cost of learning materials will make education more inclusive and equitable.

In the end, the Committee lauded the Nigerian Publishers Association for its cooperation and collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in the state to achieve a sustainable relief education policy for parents and guardians.