Publishers reject textbook ranking policy, fault N2,000 per-page fee

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has voiced strong opposition to a proposed policy by the Federal Ministry of Education that aims to introduce a ranking system for educational textbooks. The association warns that such a policy could severely destabilize the nation's publishing industry.

According to the NPA, a ranking system risks creating a "winner-takes-all" scenario, potentially marginalizing smaller publishers and limiting the diversity of educational materials available. This move is seen as a threat to the sustainability and growth of local publishing businesses.

In addition to rejecting the ranking policy, the NPA has also strongly criticized and rejected a proposed increase in textbook assessment fees. The fees are slated to jump from N300 per page to a substantial N2,000 per page. This drastic hike is viewed as an unreasonable burden that could further cripple publishers, particularly those already operating on tight margins.

The association's stance indicates a significant disagreement with the ministry's direction, emphasizing the need for policies that support, rather than undermine, the educational publishing sector in Nigeria.