FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State government has introduced a new policy on education, with only textbooks recommended and approved by the Ministry of Education permitted in all schools.
The new policy is for basic and secondary schools in line with the national and state policies on education, as well as the Edo State education law and other relevant statutory frameworks.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Emmanuel Iyamu, in a statement, said all public, private and faith-based schools are required to strictly comply with the policy.
The commissioner also stated that the policy allows younger siblings to use approved textbooks previously purchased by their older siblings.
He cautioned authors and publishers that no textbooks should contain workspaces within its content, warning that any textbook that includes workspaces will be derecognised by the ministry.
Iyamu also said that only students who have completed the Basic 1-9 and Senior Secondary School are permitted to hold graduation celebration.
“All pre-basic pupils are not allowed to embark on graduation ceremonies and parties.
“This policy is aimed at ensuring that pupils, students, parents, guardians, stakeholders and school managers remain focused on achieving quality learning outcome at the end of each educational level.
While pegging the minimum age of a pupil to write the first school leaving certificate examination (primary 6) as 10 years, Iyamu also announced a mandatory four-week intensive entrepreneurship skills training programme for all JSS 3 students.
“This is to ensure that every Edo child graduates with not just an academic certificate, but also a hands-on skill. A certificate of training will be issued along with the BECE certificate,” he declared.
