The Oyo State House of Assembly has taken a decisive step toward easing the financial burden on parents and guardians by backing a policy that mandates the use of reusable textbooks in public and private schools across the state.
This resolution followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education, Hon. Johnson Ogundele, representing Oriire state constituency during the plenary on Tuesday.
The report recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology take urgent steps to implement the policy and ensure strict compliance among schools.
According to the committee, 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.
Reusable textbooks, on the other hand, will serve multiple students over time, making learning more affordable and reducing waste.
To enhance transparency, the Ministry will publish the list of approved textbooks and workbooks for the 2026 academic session through both online and offline channels.
A one-year grace period has been granted to publishers to exhaust old stocks and meet new publishing criteria.
Regular monitoring visits to schools, bookstores, and distribution centers will be conducted to ensure only approved materials are in circulation.
The Committee recommended that “His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde be commended for his commitment and efforts towards providing an inclusive and a sound education policy as priority of this Government in Oyo State.”
It also urged 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.
Lawmakers also 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 urged 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.
The Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, while commending the committee for its proactive work, noted that the Assembly is committed to supporting reforms that will reduce burdens on parents and guardians.
He stressed that reducing the cost of learning materials is essential to making education more inclusive and equitable.
The Committee praised the Nigerian Publishers Association for its “maximum cooperation and collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other education stakeholders in the state on achieving a sustainable relief education policy for parents and guardians.”
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