Textbook Ranking Dispute: Publishers Challenge Policy Over Possible Impact on Students
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) compulsory textbook ranking policy is now before the Federal High Court, as the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has filed a suit against the policy.
The case may have implications for children and young people who are using approved textbooks as part of their learning in school.
The NPA sued the Federal Government, NERDC, the Minister of Education and the Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.
The issue at the heart of the controversy is that NPA is not happy with the need to have textbooks that have already been assessed, approved and certified by NERDC to be subjected to another mandatory ranking process before they can be used, distributed, procured or sold.
The publishers are also questioning the legality of a compulsory ranking fee, saying NERDC should have clear statutory powers to charge such a fee.
The association added that it was especially worried that publishers not involved in the ranking process might find that their previously approved textbooks would not be used in the classroom.
The controversy also has implications for children’s learning, from a child development point of view, because of the impact of the change in the regulation of textbooks. Any policy which impacts on the availability, affordability and quality of textbooks may have implications for classroom learning, especially for those pupils whose learning is heavily reliant on the school’s provision.
The NPA had said it had earlier approached the Ministry of Education and NERDC but the issue had not been resolved.
It emphasized that the legal proceedings were aimed at getting clarity on the regulatory powers of NERDC and that it was ready to cooperate with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the textbook approval process is lawful, transparent and in the best interests of learners and teachers.
