With the current economic situation in the country, though most families prioritise the education of their children, getting basic items for school children—especially the books they need to write in or read—has become difficult for many, due to the high cost of printing materials. This has ultimately led to the high cost of books.
Checks by New Daily Prime show that most students now go to school with empty bags of basic items. Some have just a few exercise books to take notes.
Books—whether textbooks or notebooks—have gone beyond the reach of many parents and guardians who are supposed to provide such items for their children and wards.
While students are short-changed and not given the best by hapless parents and guardians, those expected to provide the items are also reeling under heavy financial burdens and commitments that make things difficult for them.
High cost of paper, printing
Stakeholders in the sector—including students, teachers, parents, authors, publishers, booksellers, and printers—are having a tough time.
A 70-gramme bond paper that sold for ₦11,500 per ream in 2022 now costs ₦34,500 per ream (500 sheets). A 300-gramme card cover has jumped to ₦35,750 per pack (100 sheets) from ₦15,000 two years ago. Printing of Plate (CTP) now costs ₦13,000 per set, while the impression cost has increased from ₦8,000 to ₦13,000 per set (four colours).
To buttress the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which states that Nigerian children are entitled to free basic education, federal and state governments are supposed to provide free primary and junior secondary school education. The policy, expected to be implemented by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in conjunction with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), should provide beneficiaries with textbooks in English, Mathematics, Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa, Basic Science, and Computer Science.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case in most states across the federation.
For instance, in Lagos State, the last supply of such books was done over eight years ago. The few remaining books in those schools are not only in shreds but also grossly inadequate.
Parents’ view
The National President of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, stated that all stakeholders, including parents, have responsibilities, but he charged the government to live up to its own.
“The truth is that the free basic education policy is not working in most states now, as it has been years since some states did anything in that regard. A state that refuses to pay counterpart funding to draw grants from UBEC or even misapplies what is given will surely not bother about supplying such books.
If the government cannot fulfil its promise, let them go back to the National Assembly and say they cannot afford to implement the policy again,” he said.
Teachers’ perspective
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) wants the government to give the needed attention to the education sector. The Lagos State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Akintoye Hassan, opined:
“Education is a sector that must not be toyed with. A country’s level of development is hinged on how its education sector fares. It is unfortunate that most parents, because of the current situation of the national economy, cannot afford to provide the needed textbooks and other items for their children. States must also live up to expectations regarding their obligations in the implementation of the free basic education policy.”
What we are going through a lot – authors, printers
Pastor Niyi Ajijola, who spoke with New Daily Prime, expressed concern over the rising cost of printing materials.
“Authors and printers are not finding it easy. Most authors are not enjoying good patronage. The cost of printing is high, and if they want to translate that into the selling price of their books, it is not feasible, and that is why parents and guardians are unable to buy books for their children and wards.
The dollar exchange rate has made things difficult for us. Paper, cards, boards, and even consumables are not within reach. Some items we bought for ₦3,000 last year are now selling for ₦9,000.”
Mr. Jacob Addai of Ideal Publishers echoed similar sentiments.
According to him, with the price of paper having doubled in the last two years, the cost of books must inevitably rise. “We are also yet to fully recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses are down, forex is scarce, and even foreign remittances that help bring in more dollars have shrunk.
“Let me tell you, publishers are even managing to stay afloat. If they are to price their books to achieve a reasonable profit margin, the cost will be much higher.”
Mr. Moses Ogbuehi of Tonad Publishers added: “I can say we are in the same industry because you, as a journalist, also make use of paper and ink, though they may differ from what we use.
“Do you think the cost of a newspaper would be less than ₦500 if you guys weren’t subsidised by advertisements? Unfortunately for us, in our sector, there’s no room for advertising. We just have to survive the odds. People are struggling to eat, so books are not on the priority list.”
Who now buys books?
The President of the Nigerian Association of Booksellers, Mr. Dare Oluwatuyi, said most of his members are no longer thriving.
“For some years now, because of the economic situation in Nigeria and the little disposable income people have, books have been relegated to the background.
“You will see a child using one notebook for lessons and notes in three or more subjects. Patronage has gone down. Business is at its lowest ebb, and many of my members have closed shop. Those still operating have scaled down.
“Book selling is part of the book industry, and the business is interwoven. We have authors, publishers, printers, and booksellers, among others. It’s a book chain—it’s like a wheel. When one spoke stops rolling, the whole thing halts.”
Oluwatuyi disclosed that due to the challenges facing the industry, some publishers now take manuscripts abroad for publishing.
“They’re doing that because it saves them a lot of trouble—and it’s even cheaper. Unfortunately, the government has the wrong perception of what the creative industry is.”
The way out
Oluwatuyi and others said the solution lies in reviving local paper mills to reduce the burden of importing paper and other materials.
“When we were growing up, we used to hear of Jebba Paper Mill in Kwara State. The mill produced exercise books and other items we used back then. During the Second Republic, the civilian government embarked on the Iwopin Paper Mill project in Ijebu Waterside, Ogun State. All the money has gone and been wasted, and nothing has come of the project. Let them revive those mills,” Ajijola said.
Read Also:Education under attack – Academic warns of anti-learning narrative
