| The Benue State Government has introduced stricter regulations for schools as pupils and students return for the 2026/2027 academic session.The new measures include a ban on compulsory extra lessons after regular school hours, unauthorised use of mobile phones during school hours and access to schools by individuals or organisations without approval.The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, announced the directives during a media briefing in Makurdi as schools resumed for the new academic session.Under the new policy, schools are prohibited from organising compulsory extra lessons after normal teaching hours. The government said the measure is intended, among other objectives, to reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents.Schools are also barred from allowing pupils and students to use mobile phones during school hours without authorisation.The directive applies to both public and private schools across the state. The government has further prohibited individuals, non-governmental organisations and other external bodies from gaining unauthorised access to school premises.The Ministry of Education also warned schools against forcing parents to purchase customised or non-transferable textbooks. The policy is aimed at reducing avoidable expenses for families and preventing practices that could impose additional financial burdens on parents. |
