Reusable Textbooks: Parents Support for Governor Oti’s Educational Reform
Reactions have been trailing the recent Educational Reforms Bill signed by Governor Alex Oti of Abia State particularly on the issue of reusable textbooks and graduation ceremonies for nursery and primary schools.
Our correspondent who spoke to some parents in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital reports that majority of them are in support of the reforms and would like the state government to emulate Abia State government.
One of the parent, Mrs Timipa Rogers noted that it is a laudable initiative as it would help to reduce the amount spent on books for children adding that textbooks can be reused if properly handled by students.
“Imagine a family of four children, if the textbooks are reusable, it will assist parents to spend less on books, younger ones can use the textbooks of the older ones”
She emphasized that the economy of the country is not favourable for many families to eat well and buying textbooks has become another huge expense in many homes particularly in new sessions.
Another parent, Mr Obio King also commended the Abia State government saying it would help to reduce the burden of spending so much on textbooks.
He also noted that graduation ceremonies for nursery and primary schools may be unnecessary as many schools use this medium to extort money from parents who may sometimes not have as they also have many other more needs in homes.
A trader at the popular Swali ultramodern market, Madam Gracious Tombra reiterated the need for schools particularly private schools to assist parents in giving their children quality education by reducing levies and extravagant graduation ceremonies adding that it would also reduce unhealthy competition among young children.
“If your child doesn’t attend these parties because you can’t pay, it would make them sad and they begin to feel inferior to their classmates which is not good”
They appealed to the Bayelsa State government and the authorities in education sector to address these issues as it would be beneficial to the improvement of education in the state.
Report By Ebizimo Freeman
