The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved a policy mandating the adoption of reusable textbooks in public and private schools across the state, in a move aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and guardians.
The decision followed the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Education during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
According to the report, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has been directed to take urgent steps toward implementing the policy and ensuring strict compliance among schools.
The committee observed that the current practice of rendering textbooks obsolete after one academic session has become a significant concern for parents struggling to afford learning materials. It noted that reusable textbooks, which can serve multiple students over several years, will make education more affordable and help reduce waste.
To ensure transparency, the Ministry is expected to publish a list of approved textbooks and workbooks for the 2026 academic session through both online and offline platforms. Publishers have been granted a one-year grace period to exhaust existing stocks and align with new publishing standards.
The Assembly also resolved that regular monitoring visits should be conducted to schools, bookstores, and distribution centers to ensure that only approved materials are in circulation.
In its recommendations, the Committee commended Governor Seyi Makinde for prioritizing inclusive and sound educational policies, describing the initiative as another step toward easing the cost of education for families in the state.
The lawmakers further urged the Executive Arm of Government to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, support the Ministry’s Quality Assurance Department, and ensure compliance among all stakeholders.
They also emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to educate parents, school administrators, and publishers on the benefits of reusable textbooks and their long-term impact on improving access to quality education.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, praised the Committee for its proactive efforts, reiterating the Assembly’s commitment to policies that reduce educational costs and promote equitable learning opportunities.
He stressed that lowering the cost of learning materials remains a key factor in making education more inclusive and sustainable across the state.
The Committee also lauded the Nigerian Publishers Association for its cooperation with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in achieving a sustainable education relief policy for parents and guardians.
