The Benue State Government has announced a series of new directives for public and private schools across the state, banning the use of mobile phones during school hours, prohibiting extra lessons after regular classes and restricting unauthorised access to schools by individuals, non-governmental organisations and other external bodies.
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Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, announced the measures on Monday in Makurdi during a press briefing marking the commencement of the new academic session.
Adamu said the policies were designed to protect learners, reduce unnecessary financial burdens on parents, strengthen discipline, improve school management and raise educational standards across the state.
Under the new directive, schools are not permitted to organise extra lessons after regular school hours, while learners are prohibited from using mobile phones during school hours.
The government also barred NGOs, individuals, organisations and other external bodies from entering schools to carry out programmes, research, advocacy, interventions or related activities without prior approval from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
“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,” Adamu said.
The commissioner also directed school authorities to enforce punctuality and regular attendance, warning against late coming, truancy and loitering during school hours.
“Learners are expected to resume school on time, attend classes regularly and remain within authorised school areas. Late coming, truancy and loitering during school hours must be firmly addressed by school authorities,” she said.
Adamu further warned against bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and other forms of violence among students, directing school authorities to maintain safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments.
“Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and all forms of violence among learners are strictly prohibited. School authorities must establish and maintain safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments,” she said.
The commissioner also condemned what she described as “barbaric ways of celebrating birthdays” in schools, particularly practices in which students physically manhandle celebrants in classrooms, hostels or other parts of the school environment.
She said such practices would no longer be tolerated under the state’s school safety and discipline framework.
Parents and guardians were equally warned against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school personnel.
The government said disputes involving schools should be addressed through appropriate administrative channels rather than through attacks on members of staff.
Adamu stressed that the directives applied to both public and private schools and warned proprietors, principals and heads of institutions that failure to comply would attract sanctions.
“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.
She added that school proprietors and administrators were expected to acquaint themselves with all existing ministry directives and ensure full implementation.
“School proprietors, principals and heads of schools are expected to familiarise themselves with all relevant Ministry directives and ensure full implementation. Ignorance of an existing policy will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance,” Adamu said.
The government maintained that the combined measures were intended to create a more disciplined school environment, reduce avoidable costs imposed on families and protect students from practices considered disruptive, exploitative or unsafe.
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