The Plateau State House of Assembly has banned the compulsory yearly purchase of textbooks in schools and outlawed frequent graduation ceremonies in nursery and primary schools, while also resolving to regulate the activities of unauthorized house agents across the state.
The decisions were reached during plenary following a motion presented by Joseph Bukar of Shendam Constituency and seconded by Mathew Kwarpo Sylvanus of Mangu South. Bukar described the annual purchase of textbooks as exploitative, saying many parents are already grappling with economic hardship and need relief, not more financial strain.
In a statement by Philip Eplong, the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, made available to journalists Thursday in Jos, stated that after detailed discussions, the house resolved that parents must be allowed to reuse textbooks among siblings and be free to purchase them from any source outside the school system. It also adopted a four-year textbook cycle—already in use in states like Edo and Imo—which ensures that government-approved textbooks remain valid for at least four academic years.
“After extensive deliberations, the House resolved that parents should be allowed the freedom to re-use textbooks and to purchase them from sources outside the schools. The lawmakers also agreed that a four-year textbook cycle be adopted, where approved textbooks remain in use for at least four academic sessions, as practised in states like Edo and Imo.”
To further ease education-related costs, lawmakers encouraged Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and schools to set up book banks and textbook swap initiatives. These schemes, they said, would promote responsible reuse, environmental awareness, and reduce the financial burden on families.
In a related resolution, the Assembly condemned the growing culture of annual graduation ceremonies in nursery and primary schools, describing them as unnecessary, wasteful, and lacking educational value. The lawmakers said the events often pressure parents into needless spending and should be scrapped with immediate effect.
“To enforce these resolutions, the house mandated the committee on education to summon heads of private schools and officials of the Ministry of Education to officially communicate the house’s directives saying schools found violating the new policies will face strict sanctions.
“The Assembly further encouraged Parent-Teacher Associations and schools to establish book banks and swap schemes to help families cut costs while promoting responsible re-use.
“Similarly, the house condemned the growing trend of yearly graduation ceremonies in nursery and primary schools, describing the trend as wasteful and unnecessary. The lawmakers argued that such ceremonies place avoidable financial burdens on parents without adding academic value, and therefore must stop.
“To ensure compliance, the committee on education was directed to summon heads of private schools alongside officials of the ministry of education to communicate the resolutions of the House and warned that any school found violating the directive would face heavy sanctions,” Eplong said.
He added that also at the plenary, a motion moved by Gabriel Dewan (Pankshin North) urged the house to address the activities of unauthorised house agents.
According to him, the lawmakers condemned the agents for imposing illegal and exorbitant fees on tenants, and resolved to introduce a licensing system while repealing the obsolete rent edict.
“Naanlong Daniel, the speaker of the house applauded members for their proactive stance and assured citizens of the Assembly’s commitment to enacting policies that bring relief and sustainable development,” the press secretary said.
