The Federal Government has procured 14 million copies of primary one and primary two textbooks for distribution free to pupils nationwide.

The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said this at the beginning of the nationwide distribution of the books and library resource materials to junior secondary schools.

“The textbooks are for English language, mathematics, social studies, basic science and technology.

“They are for distribution to learners in all public primary schools.

“Also procured for distribution to junior secondary schools are assorted library resource materials totaling 4.92 million.”

Wike said the book distribution followed the scarcity of appropriate textbooks and instructional materials in public primary schools that had constituted “serious impediment to educational quality and effectiveness’’.

He said the textbooks and instructional materials were meant to complement the efforts of various state governments in addressing the challenges in the basic education system.

The minister urged the private sector to develop a robust book industry in the country to leverage Federal Government text book policy.

He said this would enable learners at the basic education level to have access to effective learning materials at all times and at an affordable cost.

“The Federal Government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) would continue to invest and play a leading role in partnership with stakeholders to provide and meet the teaching and learning needs of basic education system,’’ Wike said.

He added that the ministry would ensure that all learners had sustainable access to relevant textbooks and other learning materials at a ratio of a textbook per pupil.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Management of Fuel Subsidy,Sen. Farouk Lawan, said the House was ready to partner with the ministry to achieve its laudable programmes.

Lawan added that the problem of accessibility and the push for students to attain university education and other tertiary levels must be addressed.

“I believed that the challenge is not just for Federal Government but it’s a challenge for all of us in this country.”

He urged states and local governments to recognise the efforts being made by the Federal Government to discharge their duties toward providing quality education to the Nigerian children.

“I hope the states and local governments will equally commence a programme such as this one so that our children will have the benefit of quality materials that are so critical to the maintenance of standards in our education system.”