Benue govt shuts schools forcing parents to buy textbooks

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has closed Orenda and Opal Schools due to accusations of victimizing students and breaking the government's textbook policy. This decision came after a reported attack on the board's officials by the school's owner. BEQAEB's Executive Secretary, Dr. Terna Francis, explained the situation on Friday, detailing the events leading up to the closures.

Dr. Francis claimed that the school's owner, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff members verbally attacked his team and damaged a board vehicle after being presented with a court order to close the premises. The closures followed complaints from parents who said the schools forced them to buy textbooks directly from the institutions, contradicting the Benue State Government's policy that allows for textbook reuse and purchases from external bookstores.

Dr. Francis stated that the board had previously informed proprietors about this policy, which permits parents to transfer textbooks from older children to younger siblings and buy books from any bookstore they choose. He added that the offending schools insisted on students purchasing textbooks only from the school, even if parents had already bought the required books elsewhere.

Some students whose parents could not afford textbooks but had paid school fees were reportedly treated unfairly by the school staff, with their homework left unmarked. Dr. Francis emphasized that parents who had bought textbooks from external stores and sought permission for their children to use them were denied. These schools allegedly prevented students from bringing textbooks from outside the school into the classrooms, leaving some pupils feeling demoralized and isolated.

The board described these actions as unacceptably, stating that the policy is meant to reduce parental financial strain, promote textbook reuse, and safeguard students from unfair treatment. Dr. Francis explained that BEQAEB had invited the school owner and administrators to a meeting to discuss the issues, but they declined. He said the court was then informed through the Attorney-General of Benue State, leading to an order to seal the school premises.

Francis alleged that following the court order, Okoye and some staff members attacked him and other officials during the enforcement, involving verbal abuse and the destruction of a board vehicle. He stressed that regulatory disputes should be resolved through legal means rather than violence or intimidation, stressing the importance of complying with court orders to uphold the rule of law.

Dr. Francis stated that the schools would remain closed until their proprietors and administrators meet the board's conditions and demonstrate a commitment to following government regulations, respecting court orders, and protecting students' and parents' rights. He urged parents and guardians whose children faced similar alleged victimization or violations of government education policies to submit formal complaints to BEQAEB with supporting evidence, promising that such complaints would be investigated and appropriate actions taken in accordance with the law.