The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) indict state ministries of education over abuse of book review exercises.
NPA complained about high cost of Book Review Exercises by States and federal agencies in charge of educational curricula nationwide.
NPA President and Chairman in Council, Dr. Uchenna Cyril Anioke, said in a statement that this is an unfair extra burden.
“It’s on record that some Ministries came out boldly to say that the exercise is another way to generate revenue.
“This is sad, considering the huge taxes publishers pay to the government and levies paid in the course of getting books to the end users.”
Dr. Anioke said the exercise is to evaluate and assess quality and standard of educational materials for pupils and students.
It also aimed at providing our teeming students with up-to-date books.
“This should be devoid of revenue generation,” he said.
A great burden
The NPA Chair said his Association members had been paying hugely for this exercise in recent years.
This was not the practice in the past when publishers paid a lump sum for the exercise.
Currently, publishers pay per title running to millions of Naira per exercise per company in each State.
“Additionally, the agencies demand submission of huge number of books involved free of charge.
“Sadly, adding huge review fees to the already precarious publishing business compounds publishers’ problems and affects prices charged on books.
“This would also affect pupils and students’ accessibility to books and inhibit governments’ educational goals.”
Anioke therefore appealed to Education Minister Mallam Adamu Adamu to intervene and curb the excesses of the agencies.
“This, undoubtedly, would assist in providing good quality and affordable books to teeming Nigerian students, Dr. Anioke said.
Publishers indict education ministries over book reviews
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