As schools reopen, Benue bans compulsory after-school lessons and restricts graduations

Benue schools have been told there will be no compulsory lessons after regular hours as students return for the 2026/2027 academic session. Any Parent-Teacher Association seeking to organise extra lessons must first obtain approval from the state Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.

Commissioner Margaret Adamu said approval would not make the lessons compulsory. “There shall be no lessons after regular school hours. Any PTA requesting extra lessons must seek approval from the Ministry and must not make it compulsory,” she said at a press conference in Makurdi.

The directive applies across the state. Proprietors, principals and school heads must enforce existing education policies, while schools and individuals who breach the rules could face sanctions.

The government also ordered schools to use only textbooks approved by the state. It prohibited restricted or customised non-transferable books and said schools must not include textbook costs in school fees. Parents should be allowed to buy approved books from schools or other sources.

Benue restated its ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education, Lower Basic and Middle Basic classes. Such ceremonies may be held only for exit classes, including Basic 9, Senior Secondary School 3 and Technical 3.

Adamu also condemned birthday celebrations in which students force or assault celebrants. Schools were instructed to enforce existing bans on bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and other violence as the new academic year begins.

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There shall be no lessons after regular school hours. Any PTA requesting extra lessons must seek approval from the Ministry and must not make it compulsory.