The Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has sealed two schools, Orenda and Opal, in Makurdi, over alleged victimisation of students and violations of the state government's textbook policy. The board's executive secretary, Terna Francis, led officials to the schools, where a court order authorising the sealing of the premises was served on the proprietor before the facilities were locked. This action followed complaints from parents about the schools' alleged failure to comply with government directives on textbook purchases and reuse.
According to the government's textbook policy, parents are allowed to reuse textbooks among their children and purchase approved books from external bookstores rather than being compelled to buy them directly from schools. However, the affected schools allegedly insisted that learners purchase textbooks from them, contrary to the policy. Parents complained that some learners whose school fees had been paid but whose parents could not afford the prescribed textbooks were subjected to punitive treatment.
The complaints also alleged that some parents who had already purchased the prescribed textbooks from external bookstores were refused permission by the schools to allow their children to use them. The school management reportedly insisted that the parents either buy new textbooks directly from the schools or withdraw their children. The board's executive secretary described these alleged practices as unacceptable, saying they undermined the welfare of learners and placed unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
The Benue State Government had issued directives prohibiting compulsory after-school lessons and restricting schools' textbook practices for the 2026/2027 academic session. The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, directed schools to use government-approved textbooks and prohibited restricted or customised non-transferable textbooks. Parents must be allowed to purchase approved books either from schools or other sources, and schools were not to include textbook costs in school fees.
The board had invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to address the complaints, but they failed to honour the invitation. BEQAEB subsequently approached the court through the state attorney-general and obtained an order authorising the sealing of the premises. The proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff members allegedly verbally assaulted the board's officials after the court order was served and damaged a vehicle belonging to the board.
The board condemned the reported incident, saying disputes with regulatory authorities should be resolved through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation. The schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met the board's conditions and demonstrated compliance with government regulations, respect for court orders, and commitment to protecting learners' rights.
The board's executive secretary urged parents and guardians to submit formal petitions, supported by relevant evidence, when they experience similar alleged violations of education policies. The board would investigate such complaints and take appropriate action in accordance with the law. This move aims to ensure that schools comply with government regulations and prioritise the welfare and education of students.
Key points
- The Benue State Education Board sealed two schools for violating the state's textbook policy and victimising students.
- The schools allegedly forced students to buy textbooks from them, contrary to the government's policy allowing reuse and purchase from external bookstores.
- The board urges parents to report similar violations, promising to investigate and take action in accordance with the law.
