Edo State Ministry of Education said it has commenced review of textbooks ahead of the 2023/2024 academic year.

A statement by Acting Director, Department of Education Resources, in the state, Ero Ugiagbe, disclosed that about 119 publishers submitted over 1,300 books for review across all subject areas and levels of education. These included basic and secondary, as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Ugiagbe said: “A total of 166 teachers from public and private schools in the state have been commissioned by the ministry to conduct the review. This is the first time the book review process will include private and TVET schools. The goal is to build a strong stakeholder base and standardise instruction across private and public schools.”

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said reviewers have been admonished to focus on quality and relevance.

She said: “Book review is not a rubber stamp endeavour; the process must be rigorous. With EdoBEST 2.0 and launch of our learning agenda, textbooks must now meet minimum benchmark in quality production. The content must also be relevant to the national curriculum.­

“Gone are the days when shabbily produced books were selected. Paper and picture quality, editing, minimal errors are factors in the selection.”