Commissioner Reiterates Soludo Govt’s Zero Tolerance for Pirated, Substandard Books in Anambra schools

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has expressed disappointment over proliferation of substandard and poorly produced books in the state’s education system.

She regretted that many of the books submitted for review to the Ministry lack proper educational value and fall below acceptable standards, thereby tarnishing the state’s reputation in the literary and academic space.

Addressing members of the Anambra State chapter of writers and publishers who paid her courtesy visit at the State Secretariat Complex in Awka, Chuma-Udeh warned that the Soludo-led administration would not tolerate the distribution of pirated or substandard books in Anambra schools.

She stressed the importance of producing books that are intellectually sound, well-written, and professionally printed, urging writers and publishers to adhere strictly to the standards set by the state.

“Strive to write and publish books that are worthy of the subject matter, meet literary conventions, and are presentable, not books printed on newsprint,” she warned.

The Commissioner emphasized that the era of mediocrity in the education sector was over, stating, “We are in the age of smart schools for smart students, equipped for smart education.

“Any writer or publisher who wants to remain relevant must upgrade their skills. Publishing substandard books indirectly promotes piracy, which the state is working hard to eliminate,” she stated.

Highlighting the purpose of the Ministry’s annual book review exercise, Prof. Chuma-Udeh explained that it is designed to identify and eliminate poor-quality materials and prevent publishers from switching approved quality content with inferior versions after approval.

She cautioned that the Ministry will routinely monitor the books used in schools and withdraw any that fail to meet the required standards.

“We will no longer burden our students with books that lack educational or moral content simply because some publishers are driven by profit,” she stated.

Responding on behalf of the visiting team, Mr. Aloysius Modika commended Governor Soludo and the Ministry for their commitment to restoring quality in the educational sector.

He assured that writers and publishers in the state will align with the Ministry’s guidelines to produce high-quality books that support effective teaching and learning.