By Sandra Chikezie, Abuja
Parents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are asking the government to keep an eye on private schools that keep changing textbooks all the time, saying it’s not needed and just a way to squeeze money out of them.
In Abuja, parents have been complaining a lot, adding that schools make them buy new books every term, even if the old ones are still fine.
Mrs. Grace Opara, a government worker with three kids, said she spends almost ₦100,000 each year just to buy books that were barely used.
“My oldest kid used some books in primary 5 last year; now my second kid is in the same class, and the school says I have to buy a whole new set. The old ones are good, but they won’t take them. It feels like they’re ripping us off,” she said.
What Other States Are Doing
Some states have already done something about it. In Imo and Edo, the government made rules that schools can’t change books more than once every three years, unless the learning plan changes.
They think the FCT should make a similar rule to protect parents and make sure everyone’s treated fairly when it comes to education.
Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim, an education expert in Abuja, said that these frequent changes often happen because of money, not because kids need to learn something new.
“Books don’t change as fast as schools want you to think. A book from this year can be used for three to five years without any problems. 
“It looks like some schools and publishing firms are working together to make people spend money when they don’t have to, he told Media Bypass.
Parents Are Stressed
Parents are even more stressed because prices are going up and the cost of living is high. For many families, just paying school fees is hard, and buying new books makes things even worse.
Mr. David Olaniyan, who has two kids, said he’s considering of taking his kids out of private school because they always want more money.
