The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has sealed two schools in Makurdi, the state capital, over alleged victimisation of learners and violation of the state government’s textbook policy. The affected schools are Orenda and Opal. According to BEQAEB Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, the action followed complaints that the schools violated the government’s policy allowing parents to reuse textbooks and purchase prescribed books from external bookshops.
The policy was designed to reduce the financial burden on parents and promote the reuse of textbooks by younger siblings. However, the affected schools allegedly insisted that learners purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to the government’s directive. This led to complaints from parents that some learners whose school fees had been paid but whose prescribed textbooks were unavailable were subjected to punitive treatment.
Parents alleged that teachers refused to mark the homework of affected learners because their parents had not purchased the prescribed textbooks. Some parents who had bought the books from external bookshops were allegedly asked to purchase new copies directly from the schools or withdraw their children. The restrictions reportedly left some learners demoralised and affected their participation in classroom activities.
Dr Terna Francis described the alleged practices as unacceptable, saying they undermined the rights and welfare of learners and imposed unnecessary financial burdens on parents. He stated that the board had invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to address the complaints, but they failed to honour the invitation. As a result, BEQAEB approached a court through the state attorney-general and obtained an order authorising the sealing of the premises.
The executive secretary alleged that the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, led members of staff in attacking him and his team after the court order was served. The incident involved verbal assaults on the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the board. Francis stressed that school proprietors were expected to comply with lawful court orders and resolve disagreements with regulatory authorities through established legal channels.
The schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met the board’s conditions and demonstrated compliance with government regulations. Dr Francis urged parents and guardians whose children experienced similar alleged victimisation or violations of education policies to submit formal petitions to BEQAEB with supporting evidence. He assured the public that the board would investigate such complaints and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The sealing of the schools is a significant move by the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board to enforce compliance with education policies and regulations in the state. The board’s action is expected to serve as a deterrent to other schools that may be violating the rights and welfare of learners. The incident highlights the need for school proprietors to prioritise the well-being and education of learners.
Key points
- The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board sealed two schools in Makurdi over alleged victimisation of learners and violation of the state government’s textbook policy.
- The affected schools, Orenda and Opal, allegedly insisted that learners purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to the government’s directive.
- The schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met the board’s conditions and demonstrated compliance with government regulations.
