The Anambra State Government has announced that students should no longer write their homework or assignments inside their textbooks. The government described the practice as wasteful and not good for the future.
This new rule was made public by the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during a training workshop for private school owners and teachers at St. John of God Secondary School, Awka.
According to her, the reason for the ban is to make sure that textbooks can be used for a long time. If students write inside their textbooks, it makes it impossible for their younger brothers and sisters to use them again. By keeping textbooks clean and reusable, families will not need to spend too much money buying new ones every year.
The Commissioner explained that the government is trying to reduce the financial burden on parents, especially in these difficult economic times. She also added that education should be fair and equal for all children, and textbooks should be written in a way that includes everyone, no matter their background.
She warned that the government will not allow anyone to ignore this new rule. Teachers, parents, and school administrators must make sure it is followed strictly. Anyone who disobeys the rule should be reported to the Ministry of Education for necessary action.
In addition to banning writing inside textbooks, the Anambra State Government has also stopped graduation parties in nursery and primary schools.
According to Professor Chuma-Udeh, these parties have become unnecessary and are now being used by some school owners to collect extra money from parents. She said the government sees this as a form of exploitation and will not accept it anymore.
She reminded teachers and school owners that education is not just a business. Running a school should be seen as a sacred duty and not as a way to make quick money. The government’s vision is to make education affordable and accessible to all children in Anambra State, and any action that puts extra financial stress on parents goes against this vision.
In summary, the government wants to:
- Stop students from writing in textbooks so that books can be reused.
- Reduce financial pressure on parents.
- Make education fair, equal, and accessible to everyone.
- Stop unnecessary graduation parties in lower schools that exploit parents financially.