By Ikeugonna Eleke
Despite the Free Education Policy in Anambra State, members of the Anambra State House of Assembly believe that the cost of text books and uniforms are beyond the reach of the poor, for which the policy was formulated.
The assembly sees the organizing of extramural classes for students by teachers at exorbitant rates, as an impediment to the Free Education Policy.
The assembly in its sitting on Tuesday called on the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to direct the Commissioner for Education to engage the Public, Private and Mission Schools in addressing the exorbitant cost of textbooks and school uniforms.
The assembly said the exorbitant nature of the materials were made so because students were made to exclusively patronize designated vendors.
It also said that extramural classes in schools across the state were made mandatory, and that most teachers used them as avenues to make extra money.
In a motion sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme, and 18 others during plenary in Awka, the House said the motion became necessary since education was a fundamental right, hence, the need for every child to get equitable access to learning materials.
Hon Ofodeme who moved the motion, regretted the current practices in Anambra State primary and Secondary Schools of using textbooks as workbooks, where answers were written in the books, making the books non-transferable.
He said uniform purchase from exclusively designated vendors and mandatory extramural classes, placed undue financial burdens on parents and guardians, particularly for families with multiple children in the same schools or classes.
He said: ‘The workbook practice prevents families from utilizing textbooks across siblings, compelling them to purchase new copies for each child, regardless of financial ability, thereby deepening educational inequality.
‘I think that Education Policies in Anambra State should foster inclusivity, affordability and sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4 -Quality Education).
‘I’m worried that these practice increase educational expenses unnecessarily, making basic education less accessible for financially disadvantaged families.
‘This practice negates the state’s efforts to alleviate financial pressures on parents in line with our commitment to affordable and accessible education for all.’
The motion was supported by majority of the members of the assembly, agreeing that the practices had financial implications on families.
They said it sabotaged the current Free Education in the state. The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, appreciated the sponsor of the motion.
‘As lawmakers, we have three responsibilities to our constituencies: lawmaking, representation and oversight. I am suggesting that we make this a law by reviewing existing relevant laws, either by amendment or enacting another law,’ Udeze said.
He asked the Committees on Education and Judiciary to examine the laws establishing most of those schools to see where they could do an amendment or come with a fresh bill to make that a mandatory law in the state.