…Ministry kicks off textbook review across all subjects and grade levels
The Edo state Ministry of Education has announced the commencement of textbook review ahead of the start of the 2023/2024 Academic year. According to the Ag. Director of the Department of Education Resources, Mrs. Ero Ugiagbe, 119 publishers submitted over 1,300 books for review across all subject areas and all levels of education from basic education to secondary and TVET. A total of 166 teachers from public and private schools in the state have been commissioned by the Ministry to conduct the book review. This is the first time the book review process will include private and TVET schools, the goal of the Ministry is to build a strong stakeholder base and standardize instruction across private and public schools.
The Hon. Commissioner of Education Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe said that reviewers have been admonished to focus on quality and relevancy. She said “book review is not a rubber stamp endeavor, the process must be rigorous. With EdoBEST 2.0 and the launch of our Learning Agenda, textbooks must now meet minimum benchmarks in quality production and the content must be relevant to the dictates of the Nigerian national curriculum. Gone are the days when books that are shabbily produced will be selected. Paper and picture quality, editing, minimal errors are all factors to be considered in the selection.”
The Ministry of Education is developing Learning Standards and setting learning targets, to enhance teaching and learning in the state. The book review orientation sessions highlighted the transparent and inclusive process the Ministry put in place to ensure that only books that meet specifications will be selected. Emphasis amongst other factors is on learner and child centred instruction, project-based instruction, pedagogy, curriculum framework practice sessions, consistency with socio-cultural values, attractive user experience and so on.
The book review process is a well-thought out process that started a few months ago with a meeting of book publishers hosted by the Hon. Commissioner, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe- this meeting was aimed at levelling expectations and defining the book review process.
Publishers have also been put on notice that books selected will include access to electronic copies in line with the roll-out of EdoBEST Digital in September.
In addition to the teachers Commissioned to be reviewers, a panel of experts drawn from the schools, retired eminent educators, College of Education and University have been assembled to conduct second level vetting of the books shortlisted by reviewers. Before a final decision is reached by a Committee that will do the final selection.
According to Dr. Oviawe, “I assure all Publishers that the process will be fair and transparent. Only the best quality books with the right content will be selected.” Publishers were admonished not to waste their time and resources lobbying anybody.
Book reviewers in their various teams will defend their choice of books.
The books selected will be published before the new school session.
