{
  "id": 6135918,
  "title": "Benue Govt bans compulsory extra lessons in schools",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/benue-govt-bans-compulsory-extra-lessons-in-schools",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T12:03:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/07/benue-govt-bans-compulsory-extra-lessons-in-schools/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Benue State government has recently prohibited compulsory extra lessons in schools across the state for the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year. Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, made the announcement during a press conference in Makurdi. Schools are no longer allowed to require students to attend lessons beyond regular school hours. Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) seeking to organize additional lessons must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Education, as these sessions must remain optional. PTAs cannot make the extra lessons compulsory. School administrators, including proprietors and principals, are required to adhere to the state's education policies, with sanctions imposed on those found in violation of the guidelines. Adamu also instructed schools to use only approved textbooks, prohibiting the use of customized or non-transferable books and preventing the inclusion of textbook costs in tuition fees. Parents should be allowed to purchase approved books from schools or other authorized sources. The government has also reiterated its restriction on graduation ceremonies for students in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE), Lower Basic, and Middle Basic classes, permitting such ceremonies only for exit classes like Basic 9, SS3, and Technical 3. Furthermore, Adamu warned against violent birthday celebrations in schools, including instances where students physically assault celebrants, directing school authorities to enforce existing prohibitions on bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing, and other forms of violence among learners. These directives aim to ensure adherence to education standards in both public and private schools within the state.",
  "summary": "The Benue State government has banned compulsory extra lessons in schools across the state as pupils and students resume for the 2026/2027 academic session. Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, announced the directive during a press conference in Makurdi on Monday. Adamu said schools would no longer be permitted to compel learners to attend […] Benue Govt bans…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}