The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has stepped forward to address the growing concerns of parents regarding the escalating prices of textbooks. NAPPS National President, Yomi Otubela, acknowledged the validity of these concerns, stating that the situation is largely influenced by external economic forces rather than direct control by the schools.
Otubela highlighted that textbooks, much like other goods in the Nigerian market, are significantly impacted by widespread inflation. The soaring costs of essential printing materials, coupled with increased transportation and logistics expenses, have inevitably driven up the price of books.
A key distinction was drawn between public and private school systems. While public schools often benefit from government bulk purchases and direct distribution of textbooks at no cost to students, private schools do not receive similar interventions. This places a greater financial burden on private institutions and, consequently, on parents.
To combat the pervasive issue of textbook piracy, which results in the proliferation of low-quality, cheaply sold pirated copies and deprives authors and publishers of their legitimate earnings, many publishers are now opting for direct sales to schools. This strategy aims to create a more secure distribution channel.
However, Otubela pointed out a concerning trend where some middlemen or agents are inflating prices beyond the publishers’ original selling rates, often without the knowledge of the authors or publishers. He stressed the urgent need for this practice to cease.
Regarding the number of textbooks required, Otubela explained that private schools often curate more extensive book lists compared to public schools, which tend to focus on fewer core subjects. This broader approach in private schools is intended to provide students with a more comprehensive education and wider exposure, ultimately aiming to enhance academic standards and performance.
While acknowledging state-level initiatives promoting reusable textbooks in states like Ogun and Imo, Otubela noted their inherent limitations. He observed that while certain subjects like Mathematics and Science might lend themselves to reuse, books used by nursery and lower primary pupils, which often involve writing, coloring, or shading, are generally impractical for reuse. Similarly, subjects requiring direct entries, such as Technical Drawing and Reasoning skills, pose challenges for recycling.
Otubela also touched upon the emergence of digital textbooks, a promising development introduced by publishers like LearnAfrica. However, he cautioned parents about the associated hidden costs, including the purchase of devices (tablets or laptops), software installations, and ongoing monitoring. The risks of device theft, misuse, or damage could further exacerbate financial burdens on parents.
In light of these challenges, NAPPS is advocating for more substantial government intervention. Otubela urged the government to look beyond reusable textbook schemes and reintroduce bulk-purchase policies. Under such a policy, the government would directly procure books from publishers and distribute them at subsidized rates or even free of charge to students in both public and private schools. This, he believes, would significantly reduce costs, ensure wider access to quality educational materials, and support publishers.
NAPPS firmly believes that education is a fundamental right. Given the government’s challenges in fully funding schools or tuition, Otubela proposed that supporting families with essential instructional materials like textbooks would be a crucial step. Such support, he argued, would alleviate pressure on parents, sustain the publishing industry, enhance the quality of education delivered by schools, and ultimately contribute to raising a better-educated generation for national development.
Furthermore, Otubela called for renewed investment in local paper mills to bolster the Nigerian publishing industry and make the production of books more affordable.