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Gombe government ban Parents from yearly buying non-reusable textbooks
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Commissioner outlaws unruly “sign-out” culture in schools
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Suspension placed on new private, community, and faith-based schools
The Gombe State Government has outlawed the compulsory annual purchase of customised textbooks and non-reusable notebooks in private schools across the state.
Director of Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education, Saidu Dauda Gadam, announced the directive in a statement on Friday, stressing that schools can no longer force parents to buy such materials.
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According to him, textbooks with built-in worksheets or answer spaces not only prevent reuse by other learners but also impose unnecessary financial strain on families.
Beginning September 15, 2026, schools must provide optional workbooks or exercise books while keeping main textbooks reusable under the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council (NERDC) curriculum.
The directive further bans the growing culture of “sign-out ceremonies” in both public and private schools. Education Commissioner, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, described the practice as a source of unruly behaviour, restricting the ceremonies strictly to students completing primary six, JSS III, and SSS III.
Gadam also disclosed a temporary suspension of registration and establishment of new private, community, and faith-based schools. Existing schools yet to complete registration and approval processes have until October 31, 2025, to comply.
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“All private senior secondary schools without external examination centres such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS must report to the ministry for guidance,” the statement added.
The ministry emphasised that private schools must align with government education policies, including skills development and anti-bullying measures, while reiterating the state’s commitment to quality, affordable, and accessible education.
