Benue tightens school rules, bans phones, extra lessons, bullying

The Benue State Government has implemented stricter regulations in schools throughout the region, including the prohibition of compulsory extra lessons, the restriction on non-transferable textbooks, and the limitation of graduation ceremonies to specific exit classes. Dr Margaret Adamu, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, announced these directives on Monday during a briefing for journalists at the ministry's conference hall in Makurdi, marking the start of the 2026/2027 academic year.

The measures aim to safeguard students, alleviate financial burdens on parents, foster discipline and accountability, and enhance the quality of education in the state. Adamu emphasized that schools should only conduct extra lessons after regular hours if deemed necessary and with prior approval from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.

She clarified that additional lessons could be arranged for students preparing for external exams, provided schools obtained written permission from the government. The restriction on extra lessons is also intended to provide students with sufficient time to rest and bond with their families, preventing excessive academic pressure that could harm their physical and mental well-being.

Adamu instructed schools to utilize only approved textbooks and prohibited the distribution of customized or non-transferable books that could not be shared among learners. Parents are encouraged to purchase approved textbooks from alternative sources, with the textbook expenses excluded from school fees. Inherited textbooks in good condition can be utilized, while ECCDE books are not transferable.

Adamu urged parents to report any violations of the directive, promising that the ministry would enforce appropriate consequences.