Benue State Shuts Down Two Schools for Breaking Textbook Rules

The Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board has closed two schools, Orenda and Opal, in Makurdi. This was done because of claims that the schools mistreated students and broke the state government's rules on textbooks.

Jeffrey Adzam, an information officer with the board, shared this news in a statement. He said the decision came after parents complained about the schools not following government rules on buying and reusing textbooks.

Terna Francis, the board’s executive secretary, led a team to the schools. They served a court order to the owner before they locked the buildings.

The government's textbook policy allows parents to reuse textbooks for their children and buy approved books from outside stores. Parents should not be forced to buy books directly from schools.

Mr Francis pointed out that the schools made students buy textbooks from them, which goes against the policy. Parents also said that some students whose fees were paid but who could not afford the required textbooks faced punishment, like having their homework not marked.

The statement mentioned that some parents who bought approved textbooks from other stores said the schools would not let their children use them. The school management told the parents to either buy new textbooks from the schools or take their children out.

Mr Francis called these practices unacceptable. He said they hurt students' welfare and added extra financial stress on parents.

Previously, on 7 September, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Benue State Government had given new instructions. These rules stop schools from making after-school lessons compulsory and change how schools handle textbooks for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, said any Parent-Teacher Associations wanting to hold lessons outside regular hours must get approval from the ministry. These lessons cannot be made compulsory.

Mrs Adamu also instructed schools to use government-approved textbooks. She banned restricted or custom textbooks that cannot be transferred and said parents must be allowed to buy approved books from schools or other vendors.

She added that schools should not include textbook costs in school fees and warned that schools and individuals who break these rules would face penalties.

The latest closure of Orenda and Opal schools comes after complaints that they did not follow the textbook policy. Mr Francis said the board invited the proprietor and school leaders to a meeting to discuss these complaints, but they did not show up.

He said BEQAEB then asked the court for permission to close the schools through the state attorney-general. The court granted this request.

The statement also alleged that the school owner, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff verbally attacked the board’s officials after the court order was given and damaged a board vehicle. These claims have not been confirmed.

The board condemned this incident. It said that issues with regulatory bodies should be settled legally, not through violence or threats. The schools will stay closed until their owners and administrators meet the board's conditions and show they will follow government rules, respect court orders, and protect students’ rights.

Mr Francis encouraged parents and guardians to file formal complaints, backed by evidence, if they see similar violations of education policies. He said the board would look into such complaints and take necessary actions according to the law.