UBE: FG Distributes Free Books

Determined to boost access to qualitative education for All by the year 2015, the Universal Basic Education Commission has commenced the distribution of text books to Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the country.

The textbooks include 7,962,812 copies of Primary Four English Language and Mathematics text books, Science based activity books and 194,875 copies of 107 titles of library books for JSS.

The wife of the president, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua who disclosed this at the flag-off ceremony at the Model Primary School Abuja maintained that sound basic education would produce adequate man power to drive the nation’s Seven Points Agenda and Vision 2020.

According to her, this is the first time such massive injection of textbooks into primary school system on a national scale was being undertaken, adding that it was indication of improvement in the ratio of pupil per book.

She further observed that the textbooks will go a long way to influence teaching and learning in the school system in the country.

Hajiya Yar’Adua stated that the books will be distributed on the equality of states basis in line with the distribution guidelines for Federal Government/Universal basic Education Intervention Fund.

She recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its 26th meeting in 2008 approved that balance of funds for school feeding under the UBE programme be used for procurement of instructional materials as part of the Federal government UBE intervention to the states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enhance the development of basic education delivery in Nigeria.

The wife of the President stated that FEC had ensured that 15 per cent of the fund is for the provision of instructional materials.

“This aptly demonstrates the importance government attaches to provision of instructional material for quality basic education delivery”, she added.

The Minister of State for Education, Hajiya Aishat Dukku emphasised that the books are free and should not be sold for whatever reasons.

While appealing to teachers, parents and other stakeholders to support government’s intention of making the books available to pupils at no cost, the Minister warned that states Universal Basic Education Board would be held responsible if any of these books are sold.

She, however, called on the states to ensure that instructional materials are provided in their schools.

Isaac Nwankwo