The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to instruct the Commissioner for Education to collaborate with public, private, and mission schools across the state to address the high costs associated with textbooks, school uniforms purchased from exclusive vendors, and mandatory extramural classes.
This decision followed a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, representing Ekwusigo Constituency, during today’s plenary session. Sir Ikenna argued that these practices place significant financial strain on families, particularly those with multiple children, as parents are forced to buy new textbooks and uniforms each year due to exclusive purchasing requirements and the use of combined textbook-workbooks.
Sir Ikenna highlighted that requiring single-use textbooks and exclusive uniform vendors is counterproductive and reduces the use of school and home libraries. This, he noted, deepens educational inequality as families cannot reuse textbooks across siblings.
“These practices contradict the state’s commitment to making education affordable and accessible to all, as per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our education policies should promote inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability,” he stated.
Lawmakers including Honourable Noble Igwe of Ogbaru Constituency One, Barrister Obi Nweke of Anambra East, and Honourable Augustine Ike of Nnewi North shared similar concerns, recounting the burdensome expenses placed on parents by these requirements. The Speaker, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, read the resolution, which received unanimous support.
