The Osun State Government has introduced new regulations for public and private schools, including faith-based institutions, mandating the exclusive use of approved textbooks for at least three years.
A circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Murtala Jimoh, directed schools to immediately stop pairing textbooks with workbooks, describing the practice as exploitative and financially burdensome.
The move, according to the ministry, is designed to ease costs for parents while allowing textbooks to be reused by siblings.
In a related decision, the government prohibited graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils, noting that the practice has become commercialised, disruptive to academics, and costly for families.
Going forward, such celebrations will only be allowed for Primary Six pupils and Senior Secondary School Three students completing their final academic stages.
The ministry warned that any school violating these directives risks disciplinary measures, including fines or suspension of registration.
Written by Gladys Haruna