The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to making education more affordable by approving the reuse of textbooks among siblings in secondary schools, a policy designed to reduce the financial burden on parents while promoting prudent management of learning resources across the state.
The government announced that younger siblings would now be permitted to use textbooks previously owned by their older brothers or sisters, provided the books remain in good condition. Education authorities said the measure is expected to significantly reduce the amount families spend on instructional materials each academic session while encouraging students to preserve school books for long-term use.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Mr. Bayode Ogunmola, disclosed the decision in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, explaining that the state had no plans to reverse its existing textbook review policy because it aligns with efforts to improve affordability without compromising educational quality.
According to Ogunmola, the government has maintained a structured textbook review cycle under which primary school textbooks will only be reviewed once every six years, while the review period for secondary school textbooks has been extended from three years to four years, subject to the guidelines of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council.
He said, “The government has approved the reuse of textbooks by younger siblings, provided the books remain in good condition, as part of efforts to make education more affordable for families across the state.”
The permanent secretary stressed that extending the lifespan of approved textbooks would help families avoid unnecessary annual purchases while ensuring learners continue to use quality instructional materials that meet national curriculum standards. He added that the initiative also promotes environmental sustainability by reducing waste associated with frequent textbook replacements.
Beyond the textbook policy, the Ekiti State Government reiterated that its prohibition of graduation ceremonies for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, primary and secondary schools remains in force. Officials explained that the directive was introduced to eliminate excessive spending, social pressure and unnecessary financial obligations imposed on parents through elaborate graduation celebrations.
Education authorities emphasised that only pupils and students completing nationally recognised terminal classes should be celebrated within approved academic guidelines, insisting that schools must comply fully with government regulations aimed at protecting parents from avoidable expenses.
Ogunmola warned that the policies are not open to negotiation and directed school proprietors, administrators, parents and other stakeholders to ensure full compliance, noting that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on any institution found violating the directives.
The state government expressed appreciation to parents, school owners and education stakeholders for their cooperation, describing the measures as part of broader reforms to improve access to affordable and quality education for every child in Ekiti State.
The Ekiti initiative aligns with broader Federal Government reforms introduced earlier this year to promote reusable textbooks nationwide, strengthen quality assurance in instructional materials and reduce the recurring cost of education for Nigerian families. The national framework encourages durable textbooks that can serve multiple learners over several academic sessions while discouraging unnecessary textbook revisions.
Education stakeholders have described the policy as a practical intervention capable of easing household education expenses at a time when many parents are grappling with rising living costs. They argue that preserving textbooks, extending review cycles and eliminating avoidable school charges could improve access to education while allowing families to redirect scarce resources to other essential educational needs.
