Kogi Education Commissioner wants Textbooks reflecting curriculum »

The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB IION, has called on authors, publishers and makers of other instructional materials to approach instruments of learning from the perspective of relevance and suitability to learners’ curriculum.

He further said textbooks should provide organised units of work for students and teachers; giving both sides excellent teaching and learning experiences

The Commissioner made the assertions at the opening ceremony of the general book review of the Ministry on Monday, kick starting the process of scrutinising and selecting textbooks for use in schools in the state from year 2022 to 2027.

The general book review exercise of the Ministry which comes up once in five years is to assess
books and other instructional materials to be recommended from the Nursery stage through the Senior Secondary level of the school system.

The Ministry is adding more value to the book review exercise of 2022 as its all other programmes; hence the novel fomalised book review forum, an initiative of Hon. Jones, to strengthen the process.

Addressing authors and publishers at the event, the Commissioner said the increased annual budgetary allocation of 30% to education by Governor Yahaya Bello is to further lift education standard higher, while urging all stakeholders to reciprocate the gesture and accord education priority attention.

He also called on everyone to key into the School Adoption and Mentorship Programme of the Ministry; the state government’s approach to returning education to the pathway of glory.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Authors, Kogi State Chapter, Elder Emmanuel Ogwu Shaibu advised authors to focus more on the practical aspects of their subjects especially in the sciences, saying such books are essential but scarce.

The representative of Evans Brothers Limited, Mr. Ogundipe Oladapo expected books selected to upgrade knowledge and standard of students.

Mr. Joseph Ugbeju, an author also said recommended books should tell stories that will inculcate moral values into learners and help curb social vices in the society.