Benue seals two schools over forced textbook purchases

The Benue State Government has sealed Orenda and Opal Schools over alleged violations of its textbook policy and victimisation of pupils whose parents refused to buy books directly from the institutions.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB), Dr Terna Francis, disclosed this on Friday, alleging that the schools compelled parents to purchase prescribed textbooks from them despite a government policy allowing textbook reuse and purchases from other bookstores.

Francis said the board acted after receiving complaints that pupils whose parents bought the required books elsewhere were allegedly prevented from using them in classrooms.

He said some learners whose parents had paid their school fees but could not afford the textbooks sold by the schools were allegedly subjected to punitive treatment, including having their homework left unmarked.

According to him, parents who sought permission for their children to use textbooks purchased from external bookstores were reportedly told to buy new copies from the schools or withdraw their children.

Francis explained that the government’s policy allows parents to reuse textbooks from older children for their younger siblings and purchase prescribed books from any bookstore of their choice.

He said the policy was designed to reduce the financial burden on families and prevent pupils from being unfairly treated because their parents could not afford textbooks sold by their schools.

The executive secretary said BEQAEB had invited the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, and school administrators to a meeting to resolve the complaints, but they failed to attend.

He added that the board subsequently approached the court through the state Attorney-General and secured an order authorising the closure of the school premises.

However, Francis alleged that Okoye and some staff members verbally assaulted him and other officials when the court order was served and the enforcement exercise began.

He also accused them of damaging an official vehicle belonging to the board.

Francis condemned the alleged attack, insisting that disputes involving regulatory enforcement should be addressed through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation.

He said the schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators fulfilled the board’s conditions and demonstrated compliance with government regulations, respect for court orders and protection of pupils’ rights.

The BEQAEB chief urged parents whose children had experienced similar alleged victimisation or violations of the state’s education policies to submit formal petitions with supporting evidence for investigation and appropriate action.