The Benue State Government has introduced stricter regulations for schools as learners resume for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Under the new directives, schools are prohibited from organising compulsory extra lessons after normal school hours. Any Parent-Teacher Association seeking to organise such lessons must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, and participation cannot be made mandatory.
The government has also restricted students from possessing or using mobile phones during school hours, except where their use is specifically authorised for legitimate educational purposes under applicable school guidelines.
The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr Margaret Adamu, issued the directives while welcoming learners back to school. She instructed proprietors, principals, headteachers and teachers to ensure full compliance, warning that violations would attract appropriate sanctions.
The ministry has also prohibited graduation ceremonies for learners in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education, Lower Basic and Middle Basic classes. Such ceremonies will only be permitted for exit classes that receive certificates, including Basic 9, SS3 and Technical 3.
On textbooks, the government directed schools to use only approved main textbooks. Customised or non-transferable books are prohibited, while the cost of textbooks must not be included in school fees. Parents are allowed to purchase approved textbooks either from schools or other sources.
The commissioner also directed schools to stop what the ministry described as inappropriate birthday celebrations in which students physically handle or mistreat celebrants. School authorities are expected to prevent such practices within classrooms, hostels and other school premises.
Parents and guardians were equally warned against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers and other school personnel. The ministry said complaints should instead be addressed through appropriate channels.
The government further stated that no NGO, individual, organisation or external body would be permitted to conduct programmes, research, advocacy or other activities in schools without prior authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
Schools were also instructed to address lateness, truancy and loitering, while bullying, harassment, intimidation, hazing and other forms of violence among learners were strictly prohibited.
Adamu charged school heads to improve leadership, ensure regular attendance, maintain discipline, protect school facilities and monitor students’ academic performance throughout the session.
She said the measures were intended to protect learners, reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents, improve discipline and strengthen the overall quality of education in the state.
The commissioner also highlighted several education initiatives of the Hyacinth Alia administration, including the recruitment of more than 9,000 teachers, construction and renovation of over 400 public schools, free and compulsory basic education and the BRACE-UP programme aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children.
She urged school authorities, teachers, parents and learners to work together to achieve better educational outcomes during the new academic session
