By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has warned private school proprietors, principals, headteachers and teachers against illegal practices as schools resume for the new academic session across the state.
The government also said it had strengthened monitoring measures to guard against any outbreak of diphtheria following reported cases in neighbouring Plateau State, where authorities extended the resumption date for schools.
Benue State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Economy, Mrs Margaret Adamu, gave the warning while briefing journalists in Makurdi.
Adamu said the resumption of schools provides another opportunity for the state government to improve the quality of education and raise responsible, knowledgeable, skilled and patriotic citizens.
She said the government’s efforts were in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to human capital development, citing the recruitment of more than 9,000 teachers and the construction and renovation of over 400 public schools.
According to her, other interventions include free and compulsory basic education in public schools, scholarships for indigent students, distribution of teaching and learning materials, digital skills training and efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children through the BRACE-UP project.
She also highlighted the government’s support for school sports, noting that Benue State won the girls’ category of the 2026 Milo competition.
Adamu urged principals, headteachers, teachers and school management teams to prioritise effective teaching and improved learning outcomes during the academic session.
“This session must be different, as the ministry expects measurable improvement in all deliverables,” she said.
She directed school heads to ensure regular attendance by teachers and pupils, maintain discipline, protect school facilities, keep proper administrative and financial records, and closely monitor academic performance.
The commissioner also instructed schools to ensure that pupils learn and properly recite the Benue State Anthem, alongside school and national anthems during appropriate assemblies and civic orientation programmes.
She appealed to parents and guardians to provide their children with approved textbooks, exercise books, writing materials and other educational requirements while monitoring their attendance, conduct and academic progress.
Adamu also urged schools to comply with the ministry’s requirements on appropriate insurance coverage for learners through NICON Insurance.
On textbooks, she said only approved main textbooks should be used for teaching, while restricted or customised non-transferable books are prohibited. Learners may, however, use inherited textbooks provided they remain in good condition.
She stressed that the cost of textbooks must not be included in school fees, adding that parents are free to purchase approved books from schools or other vendors.
The commissioner further prohibited lessons after regular school hours, except where a Parent-Teacher Association formally seeks and obtains approval from the ministry.
“Any PTA requesting extra lessons must seek approval from the ministry, and such lessons must not be made compulsory,” she said.
Adamu also warned schools against organising graduation ceremonies for pupils in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education, as well as Lower and Middle Basic classes.
She further cautioned parents and members of the public against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school personnel, stressing the need for cooperation between families and school authorities.
The commissioner said the government would continue monitoring schools to ensure compliance with its education policies and safeguard the welfare of learners across Benue State.
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