MAKURDI—THE Benue State Government has rolled out stricter rules for schools as pupils, students and other learners resume for the 2026/2027 academic session, banning compulsory extra lessons, unauthorised use of mobile phones and graduation ceremonies for non-exit classes
The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr Margaret Adamu, while welcoming learners back to school yesterday, directed school proprietors, principals, headteachers and teachers to ensure strict compliance with the policies and directives of the ministry.
The Commissioner warned that schools and individuals who violate the approved guidelines would face appropriate sanctions, stressing that ignorance of existing policies would not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance
She noted that “the resumption of schools marks another opportunity for us to strengthen the quality of education in Benue State and build a generation of responsible, knowledgeable, skilled and patriotic citizens“This is in tandem with the vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia, whose commitment to human capital development is evident in several interventions in the education sector, including the recruitment of over 9,000 teachers and the construction and renovation of over 400 public schools.“The government has also implemented free and compulsory education in basic public schools, maintained consistent payment of workers’ salaries, introduced the BRACE-UP project to drastically reduce the population of out-of-school children, awarded scholarships to indigent students and distributed teaching and learning materials to schools, including IDP camps.“This session must be different, as the ministry expects measurable improvement in all deliverables. School heads must provide effective leadership, ensure regular attendance of teachers and learners, maintain discipline, protect school facilities, keep proper administrative and financial records, and monitor academic performance throughout the session.“I particularly direct all schools to teach and ensure that learners are able to properly recite the Benue State Anthem. The School Anthem and the National Anthem should form part of appropriate school assemblies and civic orientation as a means of promoting patriotism, unity, identity and commitment to the development of Benue State.“I have directed all proprietors, principals and heads of schools to ensure strict compliance with all extant policies, guidelines and directives of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management. All schools are encouraged to