Benue Education Board Closes Schools Over Textbook Policy

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) sealed Orenda and Opal Schools in Benue State due to complaints from parents regarding the compulsory purchase of textbooks. Dr Terna Francis, the Executive Secretary of BEQAEB, stated that the schools were accused of victimizing students and failing to adhere to a government policy that allows the reuse of textbooks and purchases from other bookstores.

Parents reported that the schools forced them to buy prescribed textbooks directly from the institutions, despite the policy's intent to alleviate financial burdens. Allegations included punishing students whose parents could not afford the textbooks sold by the schools and preventing those who had purchased books elsewhere from using them in class.

Following the schools' non-compliance and a violent incident during an enforcement exercise, BEQAEB obtained a court order for the closure of the schools. Francis condemned the violent response from the schools' proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, and staff during the enforcement.