Benue government shuts schools forcing parents to buy textbook

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board has sealed Orenda and Opal Schools over allegations of unfair treatment of learners and breaches of the state government’s textbook policy.

The board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, disclosed this on Friday, October 9, saying the closure followed parental complaints and a court order authorising enforcement. Francis alleged that the schools required parents to buy prescribed textbooks directly from them, contrary to a policy allowing textbook reuse and purchases from bookstores of their choice.

He said some learners were prevented from using prescribed books bought elsewhere, while others whose parents could not afford the schools’ textbooks allegedly had their homework left unmarked despite having paid school fees. According to Francis, parents who sought permission for their children to use books purchased externally were told to buy replacements from the schools or enrol their children elsewhere.

He said the policy was intended to reduce financial pressure on families, allow younger siblings to reuse textbooks and protect learners from unfair treatment. Francis said the board had repeatedly explained the policy to school proprietors. It later invited the proprietor and administrators of the affected schools to a meeting over the complaints, but they did not attend.

The board subsequently approached the court through the Benue State Attorney-General and obtained an order to seal the premises. Francis also accused the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff members of verbally assaulting enforcement officials and damaging a board vehicle after the order was served. He said regulatory disagreements should be addressed through lawful channels and stressed the need to comply with court orders.

The schools would remain sealed until their management met the board’s conditions and demonstrated compliance with government regulations and respect for learners’ and parents’ rights, he said. Francis urged parents and guardians with similar complaints to submit formal petitions with supporting evidence, assuring them that the board would investigate and take appropriate action under the law.