Textbook availability and content
Textbooks are manuals of instruction that must ensure three principles supported by UNESCO: their accessibility by all, their quality and relevance to the curriculum and their efficacity as a tool for peace and global citizenship. As such, textbooks are an essential part of the teaching and learning materials, and governments must give attention their provision and equal access to the learners. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are an average of 2.2 pupils per reading textbook, and 3.5 pupils per mathematics textbook (UIS, 2015). Thus decision-makers must find a balance between textbooks affordability and quality. In order to respect the generally agreed learner-centred approach, textbooks provision and content must be decided according to the wide and diverse learners' needs. Therefore, a sustainable, affordable and accessible textbooks-related policy can have a positive impact on education quality, equity and access. It also important to pay attention to teacher guides: they are often edited together with textbooks to help teachers follow the curriculum but also adapt to students’ pedagogical needs. See more...