REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
Some parents and educationists in Anambra State have commended the introductio of National Textbook Ranking System by the Federal Government for Textbooks to be used by students and pupils in Primary and Secondary schools in the country.
Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the stakeholders in their reactions called for the setting up of a seasoned and transparent Committee to handle the assignment.
The National Textbook Ranking as envisaged by the government is to standardise the contents of books used in teaching in Nigerian schools in both private and public sectors and safeguard young Nigerians from obsolete and immoral contents in textbooks.
The initiative is coming at a time many parents, guardians and teachers are complaining about the numbers and contents of textbooks being used in nursery, primary and secondary schools across the country.
Outside financial difficulties that confront parents in buying numerous recommended textbooks, their contents have also been a source of worry to many parents and analysts in the education sector.
A parent, Mr Ebuka Onyekwelu said the idea by the federal government to review textbooks is apt as it will make room for the introduction of modern innovations like AI and Aerobics which will impact positively on the education of Nigerian children.
” Publishers and textbook writers should work together to be able to produce texts that can stand the test of time and that are capable of equipping our students with the requisite knowledge that they required to solve problems”
Another respondent, Mr Jude Atupulazi described the policy as a good step especially at a time when some schools had become dumping grounds for all manner of unverified reading contents for pupils.
” the timing is very good but overtime we have known that in Nigeria the problem is not about policy , its about implementation and the character of those doing the implementation “
Another respondent Mr Oluebube Onyebuchi however harped on the need for the government to assemble professionals who have genuine interest in promoting standard education in the country to handle the assignment.
” So the government should just Map out stringent measures to contain their response because they will surely fight back, the publishers and writers will come with lobby but let the committee resist them “
The head teacher, of a private school in Awka, Mrs Celestina Uka welcomed the introduction of National textbooks Ranking System and pointed out that it would help to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Nigeria.
" It is a welcome development but it is not what they do in a hurry. They should take time , go through whatever content, textbooks, subjects and they should also consider the ages of the children in all the classes." Another teacher , Miss Sandra Obim advised that the review committee should ensure that the textbooks to be recommended agree with school curriculum to aid teaching and learning.
” we are suffering it here,there are some topics in the curriculum but it is not in the textbooks, so let them update the books”
For a publisher, Comrade Chika Nwosu , there is the need to pay utmost attention to the content of books recommended for school children especially those in the rural areas that lack access to the internet.
" I welcome any Government policy that aim to regulate and improve the publishing sector for qaulity accountability and national development " Some social media users have also voiced out against the contents of some text books being used in Nigerian schools and called for their review and standardisation.
The introduction of the ranking system is expected to significantly reduce the excessive number of textbooks currently in use in schools in Nigeria,
address the confusion such development created for teachers, pupils and students as well as reduce the financial burden on parents in buying them.
