Cross River State Government have placed a ban on the use of textbooks with embedded workbooks in all public and private schools.
The ban is part of a comprehensive set of education policy reforms designed to standardize practices in public and private schools, safeguard pupils’ welfare, and strengthendata management across the state
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The measures, which was approved by Governor Bassey Otu and announced in Calabar by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, take effect immediately
According to the reforms, only textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education will be permitted in schools, as publishers are prohibited from embedding workbooks that make textbooks non-transferable, ensuring uniformity, cost savings, and reuse among pupils.
The reform also announced a uniform academic calendar for all public and private schools as they must now adhere to a single state-approved timetable.
Other reforms include;
Graduation Rules: Ceremonies will henceforth be restricted to Primary 6, JSS3, and SS3 classes only.
Textbook Regulation: Only Ministry-approved and reusable textbooks are permitted.
No Lessons After 2PM: Primary schools must close by 1pm and secondary schools by 2pm.
Compulsory after-school lessons are prohibited, with extra coaching allowed only with parental consent.
Anti-Drug Clubs: Every school is required to establish a club to combat drug abuse among pupils.
Anti-Bullying Policy: Schools must set up Anti-Bullying Committees, with offenders facing immediate expulsion.
Index Number System: From the 2025/26 academic session, every pupil will be assigned a unique identification number for proper record-keeping.
School supplies
The Commissioner further noted that compliance is non-negotiable, stressing that violators risk sanctions, including loss of accreditation and withdrawal of operating licences.
