Benue seals two schools over alleged forced purchase of textbooks

The Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) sealed two schools in Makurdi, Orenda and Opal, due to allegations of victimizing learners and forcing parents to buy textbooks directly from the schools. The Board's Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, led the enforcement and compliance team to seal the schools, following complaints from parents.

Francis revealed that the schools allegedly refused to attend to learners who did not purchase the required books, despite the payment of school fees. This practice violated the state government's textbook reuse policy, which permits parents to reuse textbooks from older children or buy prescribed books from alternative sources.

The Board had initially contacted the school proprietors via phone, but the complaints persisted. The Board later invited the proprietors, management, and Parent-Teacher Association chairman to a meeting, but the proprietors did not attend.

Francis stated that the alleged victimization negatively impacted learners' schoolwork and also prevented some teachers from marking homework of learners who had not bought the required books. He emphasized that the child protection laws of Benue State and the Federation prohibit such actions.

BEQAEB collaborated with the state Attorney-General and received a court order to seal the two schools. The order was served on the proprietors, and the Board locked the school premises. The schools will remain sealed until their owners and administrators comply with the Board's conditions and demonstrate their commitment to operating within government policies and respecting the rights of learners and parents.

Francis warned other private schools in the state that any breaches would result in aggressive actions from the Board. He urged parents experiencing similar victimization in other schools to submit petitions to the Board, along with evidence supporting their complaints.