The Abia State Government has directed publishers supplying textbooks to schools to separate workbooks from the main textbooks, in order to ensure the books can be reused by other pupils.
The directive was announced by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the ministry in Umuahia.
Ubochi also cautioned schools against recommending multiple textbooks for a single subject, describing the practice as a financial burden on parents. He reminded participants that Governor Alex Otti had declared free and compulsory education at the primary and junior secondary school levels, urging compliance with the policy.
The commissioner further stressed the importance of standard examinations, noting that the Primary Six School Leaving Assessment Test (PSLAT), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for JSS3, and the mandatory SS2 examination before WAEC registration remain government requirements.
On child welfare, Ubochi condemned the practice of children hawking or loitering during school hours. He disclosed that Education Marshals have been directed to apprehend parents and guardians of defaulters, while advising families to enroll their children in school.
He assured stakeholders that government plans are underway to address manpower gaps in the education sector through future teachers’ recruitment.
The meeting was attended by representatives from WAEC, NECO, ANCOPPS, NUT, PTA, publishers, LGA education secretaries, NASU, and top officials of the ministry.
