The Edo Ministry of Education has commenced a review of textbooks for all subjects across grade levels in basic, secondary and technical education in the state. 

Ero Ugiagbe, acting director, Department of Education Resources in the ministry, told journalists on Wednesday in Benin that the exercise was being carried out ahead of the 2023/2024 academic session.

According to the director, 119 publishers have submitted over 1,300 books for review across all subject areas and all levels of education.

“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,” Ms Ugiagbe said.

The state Commissioner for Education, Joan Osa-Oviawe, said reviewers had been admonished to focus on quality and relevance. 

“Gone are the days when books that are shabbily produced will be selected: paper and picture quality, editing, and minimal errors are all factors to be considered in the selection,” Ms Osa-Oviawe said.

The commissioner said the ministry was developing standards and setting targets to enhance teaching and learning in the state.

She said the book review orientation sessions highlighted the transparent and inclusive process the ministry implemented to ensure that only books that meet specifications would be selected.

Ms Osa-Oviawe said the emphasis was on learner- and child-centred instruction, project-based instruction, pedagogy, curriculum framework practice sessions, consistency with socio-cultural values, and attractive user experience aside from others.

“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 from colleges of education and universities have been assembled to conduct second-level vetting of the books shortlisted by reviewers,” she said.

(NAN)