The Benue State Government has banned unauthorised access to public and private schools by individuals, non-governmental organisations and other external bodies, as part of measures to strengthen discipline and improve the quality of education across the state.
The government has also prohibited students from using mobile phones during school hours, except where expressly approved for legitimate educational purposes. Extra lessons after regular school hours have equally been banned.
The State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Margaret Adamu, announced the measures at a press conference in Makurdi on Monday. She said the new academic session would commence on September 7, 2026, and urged schools to comply strictly with approved government policies.
Adamu said no individual, NGO, organisation or external body would be allowed to conduct programmes, research, advocacy or other interventions in schools without prior authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
She also directed school authorities to enforce punctuality and regular attendance, while addressing late coming, truancy and loitering. Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and other forms of violence among students were similarly prohibited.
The commissioner warned against what she described as “barbaric ways of celebrating birthdays”, in which students manhandle celebrants in classrooms, schools and hostels.
Parents and guardians were also cautioned against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school staff.
Adamu said the policies were intended to protect students, ease unnecessary financial pressure on parents, improve discipline, strengthen school management and raise educational standards in the state.
“I therefore warn that non-compliance with approved policies and directives will attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines,” she said, adding that proprietors, principals and heads of schools must familiarise themselves with all relevant ministry directives.
The commissioner said the ministry would intensify monitoring, supervision and quality assurance across schools to ensure that the policies were fully implemented.
