Benue govt seals two schools over textbook policy violations

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board, BEQAEB, has sealed Orenda and Opal Schools over alleged maltreatment of learners and non-compliance with the Benue State Government’s policy regulating textbook purchases and reuse.

The enforcement exercise was led by the Board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, alongside officials from its Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance.

​The action followed the service of a court order authorising the closure of the school premises on the proprietor.

Francis expressed disappointment that some school operators had continued to disregard government directives despite repeated awareness campaigns by the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and BEQAEB on the need to implement policies aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and protecting learners from unfair treatment.

He explained that the state government’s textbook policy permits parents to reuse suitable textbooks previously purchased for their older children by handing them down to younger siblings.

The policy also allows parents to obtain the required textbook lists from schools and purchase the materials from independent bookstores rather than being compelled to buy directly from school management.

According to the Executive Secretary, the affected schools allegedly violated these provisions by insisting that parents purchase prescribed textbooks exclusively from the schools.

He further disclosed that complaints submitted to the Board indicated that some pupils whose parents had paid their school fees but could not afford the prescribed textbooks were allegedly subjected to punitive measures.

Among the reported incidents was the refusal to mark learners’ homework because they lacked the required books.

The parents, who petitioned the Board, also alleged that the school management rejected requests from families who had already bought the prescribed textbooks from external vendors to allow their children to continue using them during the current academic session.

According to the complaints, the parents were reportedly told to either purchase new copies directly from the schools or withdraw their children and seek admission elsewhere.

The petitioners further claimed that learners were prevented from bringing textbooks purchased outside the schools into their classrooms. The alleged restrictions reportedly affected the morale of some pupils, leaving them discouraged and withdrawn.

Francis condemned the reported practices, describing them as inconsistent with government regulations and the obligation of educational institutions to protect the rights, interests and welfare of learners.

He emphasised that the textbook policy was introduced to give parents greater freedom in sourcing educational materials, encourage the continued use of suitable textbooks and eliminate unnecessary expenses imposed on families by restrictive school practices.

The Executive Secretary disclosed that BEQAEB had previously invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to address the allegations and seek a resolution. However, the school representatives reportedly failed to attend the meeting.

Following their failure to respond to the invitation, the Board, acting through the Attorney-General of Benue State, approached the court and secured an order permitting the sealing of the facilities.

Francis also alleged that the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, led some staff members in attacking him and his team despite the service of the court order. He said the incident involved verbal abuse directed at the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the Board.

Reacting to the development, BEQAEB expressed concern over the alleged assault, reiterating that regulatory disputes must be handled through lawful procedures rather than violence or intimidation.

The Board stressed that respect for court orders and the peaceful resolution of disagreements are fundamental to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability in the education sector.

Francis maintained that Orenda and Opal Schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met the Board’s stipulated conditions and demonstrated a willingness to comply with government policies, obey lawful court orders and protect the rights of learners and their parents.

He also called on parents and guardians to report similar cases of alleged victimisation or breaches of government education policies to BEQAEB through formal petitions supported by relevant evidence.

He assured the public that complaints received by the Board would be investigated and appropriate measures taken in accordance with the law.