The Anambra State Government has announced a new policy that stops pupils from writing assignments directly inside their textbooks. The move is aimed at making books reusable, reducing waste, and easing financial pressure on parents.
The directive was made public by the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during a capacity-building workshop for teachers and school owners in Awka. She explained that when pupils write in their textbooks, it prevents younger siblings or other students from reusing them, which increases the cost of education for families.
According to her, the policy is part of the government’s plan to promote sustainable education and ensure that learning materials are inclusive and accessible to all learners. She also stressed that textbooks should reflect diversity and equality in education.
Professor Chuma-Udeh warned that schools and teachers must strictly follow the new policy, and parents should also support it. She urged stakeholders to report any cases of non-compliance to the Ministry of Education.
In addition, the government has placed a ban on extravagant graduation parties in nursery and primary schools. The Commissioner said such celebrations had become a means of exploiting parents financially and were not in line with the state’s vision for education. She reminded schools that teaching is a noble service and should not be turned into a business venture.
With these new reforms, the Anambra State Government hopes to create a more affordable, fair, and sustainable education system for children and their families.
