The Cross River State government has banned the use of textbooks containing embedded workbooks in all public and private schools as part of sweeping education reforms.
Commissioner for Education Stephen Odey announced the changes at a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, stating that Governor Bassey Otu had approved the measures.
“Only textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education will be permitted in schools. Publishers are prohibited from embedding workbooks that make textbooks non-transferable,” Mr Odey said. He explained that the policy would ensure uniformity, save costs and allow textbooks to be reused.
The government also introduced a uniform academic calendar for all schools and abolished graduation ceremonies for non-exit classes, except Primary 6, JSS3 and SS3.
“To combat rising drug use among students, every public and private school must establish anti-drug clubs,” the commissioner said. He added that Anti-Bullying Committees would be mandatory, with students caught bullying facing instant expulsion.
Other reforms include setting school closing times at 1:00 pm for primary schools and 2:00 pm for secondary schools, banning compulsory after-school lessons, and introducing a unique index number for all pupils from the 2025/2026 academic year.
Mr Odey described the reforms as “a significant step toward achieving holistic, quality education for all Cross River children.”
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