The Cross River State Government has introduced far-reaching reforms in its education sector, including a ban on textbooks embedded with workbooks in both public and private schools.
Announcing the new policies in Calabar on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, said the reforms, approved by Governor Bassey Otu, are aimed at standardising school practices, safeguarding pupils’ welfare, cutting unnecessary costs, and improving data management across the state.
Under the new rules, only textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education will be allowed, while publishers are prohibited from embedding workbooks that make textbooks non-transferable. Odey explained that the decision will ensure uniformity, allow reuse among pupils, and save parents avoidable expenses.
The reforms also introduced a uniform academic calendar for all public and private schools, with strict adherence to opening and closing dates. Schools that fail to comply risk sanctions, including derecognition or withdrawal of approval-to-operate.
Other key measures include:
- Abolishing graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and non-exit classes, limiting them to Primary 6, JSS3, and SS3.
- Setting closing times at 1:00 p.m. for primary and 2:00 p.m. for secondary schools.
- Banning compulsory after-school lessons to prevent mental fatigue and extra financial burdens, though extra lessons may be offered with parental consent.
To curb rising drug use, all schools are now mandated to establish anti-drug clubs, while Anti-Bullying Committees must also be formed to ensure discipline. Students caught bullying will face immediate expulsion.
In addition, from the 2025/2026 session, every pupil from kindergarten to SS3 will be assigned a unique index number to improve data accuracy, prevent fraudulent transfers, and streamline admissions. Distribution of the numbers will begin in early 2026.
Senator Odey stressed that implementation is immediate, warning that violators will face sanctions. He thanked Governor Otu for endorsing the reforms, describing them as “a significant step toward achieving holistic, quality education for all Cross River children.”