Abia Assembly criticises private schools for forcing parents to purchase customised textbooks
The Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution directing its Education Committee to summon the Commissioner for Basic Education, ASUBEB leadership, and other relevant officials for discussions regarding the widespread practice of selling and using customized textbooks and exercise books in schools.
The Assembly argued that this growing trend negatively impacts both parents and society as a whole.
Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa, who announced the resolution during a plenary session, stated that there would be close scrutiny of institutions responsible for educating future generations.
He further instructed the committee to report its findings to the House within two weeks.
This resolution followed a motion introduced by Aba Central representative, Mr. Stephen Ucheonye, concerning the mandatory use of customized textbooks and exercise books in private schools in Abia State.
Ucheonye alleged that some school proprietors were selling these books at exorbitant prices and preventing students from sharing or reusing them.
He urged the Assembly to intervene and stop the ongoing exploitation of parents and guardians in the state.
During the same session, the House also passed a resolution urging the state government, through the Commissioner for Health, to appeal to the Federal Government for the immediate deployment of doctors and medical personnel to the Sustainable Development Multipurpose Hospital in Ugwunagbo.
The House emphasized that this measure is necessary to address the medical needs of the large number of patients seeking treatment at the hospital.
This resolution followed a matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by Ugwunagbo State Constituency representative, Chijioke Uruakpa.
