The Anambra State Government has prohibited pupils from writing their assignments directly in textbooks, describing the practice as “wasteful and unsustainable.”
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced the directive during a capacity-building workshop for private school proprietors and teachers.
The new measure aims to make textbooks reusable for other children within families, easing financial pressure on parents.
“This decision is aimed at easing the financial pressure on parents. Textbooks should be reusable, especially for younger siblings of pupils who will also need them when they move to the next class,” Chuma-Udeh explained.
The government has warned that non-compliance will attract sanctions.
“The government will not tolerate non-compliance. We urge parents, teachers, and school administrators to strictly adhere to this directive. Anyone found flouting the rule will be sanctioned,” she said.
Additionally, the government plans to clamp down on extravagant graduation parties, particularly in nursery and primary schools, citing financial burden on parents.
“It has come to our notice that graduation parties have a channel for financial exploitation by some school owners.
Teaching and running a school is a divine call and should not be mortgaged for monetary gains,” Chuma-Udeh said.
The state’s vision for education is to make it accessible, equitable, and sustainable, and activities contrary to this mission will not be condoned.
