By Solomon OKPO
The Federal Government has unveiled a new national education policy framework aimed at easing the financial burden on parents while strengthening learning outcomes across Nigeria’s school system.
The policy was announced on Friday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the country’s education sector for efficiency, equity and sustainability.
A major feature of the new framework is the prohibition of textbooks packaged with disposable workbooks. Under the policy, schools are now required to adopt durable, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years. The government said the move would allow books to be reused across academic sessions and shared among siblings, significantly reducing recurrent annual expenses borne by parents. It is also expected to promote environmental sustainability by cutting down on waste.
In another far-reaching decision, the Federal Government approved a uniform national academic calendar for all schools across the country. The standardised calendar is intended to improve planning, consistency and stability in the education system, particularly for families with children in different states or school types.
The policy also streamlines graduation ceremonies, limiting official graduations to Primary Six, Junior Secondary School 3, and Senior Secondary School 3. According to the ministry, the measure is designed to curb the proliferation of frequent and often costly ceremonies that place unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
To address concerns over declining instructional standards, the new framework strengthens quality assurance mechanisms in assessment and instructional material selection. Publishers, the government said, will no longer be allowed to carry out superficial or “cosmetic” textbook revisions. Any new edition must reflect substantial improvements in content rather than minor layout or design changes.
Speaking at the unveiling, the ministers reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding educational standards, promoting equity and ensuring nationwide access to quality education. They also acknowledged the critical roles of key agencies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), in supporting the implementation of the reforms.
The government expressed confidence that the policy would bring long-term relief to parents, reduce systemic inefficiencies and improve consistency and quality across Nigeria’s education system.
