Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Benue State Government has announced a sweeping set of new regulations for all public and private schools, banning mobile phones during school hours, prohibiting compulsory extra lessons after classes, and outlawing bullying, hazing, and all forms of violence among learners as the 2026/2027 academic session commenced on Monday, September 7, 2026. The State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Margaret Adamu, unveiled the policies at a press conference in Makurdi, stating that the measures were designed to protect learners, reduce unnecessary financial burdens on parents, improve discipline, and raise the standard of education in the state.
Under the new rules, learners are prohibited from possessing or using mobile phones during school hours, except where specifically authorised for legitimate educational purposes under applicable school guidelines. The government also banned individuals, non-governmental organisations, and other external bodies from gaining unauthorised access to both private and public schools, stressing that no NGO, individual, or organisation shall enter a school to conduct programmes, activities, research, or interventions without appropriate authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management. The commissioner emphasised that schools must ensure learners resume on time, attend classes regularly, and remain within authorised school areas, while school authorities are expected to firmly address late coming, truancy, and loitering during school hours.
The state government also prohibited extra lessons after regular school hours, warning that any Parent-Teacher Association requesting such lessons must seek approval from the ministry and must not make them compulsory for students. The directive applies to schools across the state, with proprietors, principals, and heads of schools directed to ensure strict compliance with existing education policies and guidelines. Adamu warned that schools and individuals who violate the directives would face appropriate sanctions under applicable laws and regulations.
In a move that has drawn particular attention, the commissioner condemned what she described as "barbaric ways of celebrating birthdays," whereby learners manhandle celebrants in schools, classrooms, and hostels. She directed school authorities to enforce existing bans on bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing, and other forms of violence among learners, stressing that school authorities must establish and maintain safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environments. The government also warned parents and guardians against assaulting, threatening, intimidating, or verbally abusing teachers, principals, or other school staff, stating that genuine grievances should be addressed through appropriate channels.
Adamu promised that the ministry would strengthen monitoring, supervision, and quality assurance activities across schools in the state to ensure that the policies are implemented at the school level. "I therefore warn that non-compliance with approved policies and directives will attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines," she declared. "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."
The new regulations also include a ban on graduation ceremonies for learners in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE), Lower Basic, and Middle Basic classes, with the government stating that graduation ceremonies should only be held for exit classes, including Basic 9, Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3), and Technical 3. Additionally, the government directed schools to use only textbooks approved by the state government for teaching and prohibited the use of restricted or customised non-transferable textbooks, directing schools not to include the cost of textbooks in school fees.
As schools across Benue State resume for the new academic session, the government's tough new rules have been met with mixed reactions. While some parents and educators have welcomed the measures as long-overdue steps to restore discipline and protect students, others have expressed concerns about the practicality of enforcing the bans, particularly the prohibition on mobile phones in an increasingly digital world. However, Commissioner Adamu has made it clear that the government is determined to see the policies implemented, warning that ignorance of the rules will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance. The coming weeks will reveal whether Benue's schools can rise to the challenge of enforcing these sweeping new regulations.
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