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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Benue tightens school rules, bans phones, extra lessons, bullying

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Approved/passed
  • Benue State has barred unauthorized access to public and private schools and prohibited mobile phones during school hours, except for approved educational use.
  • The government also banned after-school extra lessons and strictly prohibited bullying, harassment, hazing and violence.
  • Education Commissioner Margaret Adamu said the rules would take effect as the new academic session begins on September 7, 2026, with sanctions for non-compliance.

Benue State is tightening school rules ahead of the new academic session, banning unauthorized outside activities, mobile phones during school hours and extra lessons after the regular school day.

Education and Knowledge Management Commissioner Margaret Adamu announced the measures at a press conference in Makurdi. She said the session would begin on September 7, 2026, and called on schools to comply with government policies.

No NGO, individual, organisation or external body shall enter a school to conduct programmes, activities, research, advocacy or interventions without the appropriate authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.

· Margaret AdamuShe announced the authorization requirement for outside bodies entering schools.

Individuals, nongovernmental organizations and other external bodies will need authorization from the ministry before entering public or private schools for programs, research, advocacy or interventions. Students may not possess or use mobile phones during school hours unless school guidelines specifically authorize them for legitimate educational purposes.

Learners are prohibited from possessing or using mobile phones during school hours, except where specifically authorised for legitimate educational purposes under the applicable school guidelines.

· Margaret AdamuShe outlined the new restriction on student phone use.

The rules also require students to arrive on time, attend classes regularly and remain in authorized areas. Schools must address lateness, truancy and loitering. Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and all forms of violence among students are prohibited.

Adamu further warned against violent birthday celebrations in which students manhandle celebrants. She told parents and guardians not to assault, threaten, intimidate or verbally abuse teachers, principals or other staff. The government said the policies aim to protect students, reduce financial pressure on parents, improve discipline, strengthen school management and raise education standards. It warned that violations would attract sanctions and said it would increase monitoring, supervision and quality assurance across the state.

Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and all forms of violence among learners are strictly prohibited.

· Margaret AdamuShe described the conduct schools must prevent.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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