The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has sealed Orenda and Opal Schools over allegations of learner victimisation and violations of the Benue State Government’s policy on textbook purchase and reuse.
The enforcement action was led by the Executive Secretary of BEQAEB, Dr. Terna Francis, alongside officials of the Board’s Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance.
According to the Board, a court order authorizing the sealing of the school premises was served on the proprietor before the facilities were locked.
Dr. Francis expressed concern that some private school proprietors continued to disregard government directives despite repeated sensitization by the Benue State Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and BEQAEB.
He explained that the state government’s textbook policy allows parents to reuse textbooks by passing them from older children to their younger siblings. The policy also permits parents to obtain textbook lists from schools and purchase the required materials from external bookstores.
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However, the affected schools were accused of insisting that learners purchase prescribed textbooks directly from their respective school premises, allegedly contravening the government’s policy.
Parents Allege Unfair Treatment of Learners
More troubling, according to Dr. Francis, were complaints that some learners whose parents had paid their school fees but could not afford the prescribed textbooks were subjected to punitive treatment, including having their homework left unmarked.
Parents who petitioned the Board also alleged that school management rejected requests to allow their children to use textbooks they had already purchased from external bookstores for the current academic session.
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According to the petitions, the parents were reportedly told to either purchase new textbooks directly from the schools or withdraw their children and enrol them elsewhere.
The complaints further alleged that textbooks purchased outside the schools were prohibited in classrooms, leaving some learners feeling demoralised and withdrawn.
BEQAEB Reaffirms Commitment to Learners’ Welfare
Reacting to the complaints, Dr. Francis described the alleged practices as unacceptable, stressing that they were inconsistent with the protection of learners’ rights and welfare under applicable laws in Benue State and Nigeria.
The Board’s action underscores the state government’s efforts to enforce its education policies and protect parents from unnecessary financial pressure while ensuring that learners are treated fairly within school environments.
The sealing of Orenda and Opal Schools followed the reported complaints and the service of a court order authorising the action.
The allegations against the affected schools have been presented as reported by the Board and the parent-petitioners. No response from the schools was included in the information available for this report.
