The Benue State Government has introduced sweeping reforms in the education sector, halting graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and basic school pupils while abolishing the use of non-transferable textbooks.
The directive was issued in Makurdi on Thursday through a memo signed by Mrs. Helen Nambativ, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
She explained that the move was designed to ease the financial strain on parents and redirect schools’ priorities towards learning rather than elaborate celebrations.
According to Nambativ, the policy becomes effective from the first term of the 2025/2026 academic session.
“The unpopular use of restricted customised education materials such as text/exercise books in Benue schools, making them non-transferrable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
“All schools are by this notice directed to revert automatically to the traditional practice of senior students/pupils using and passing books down to pupils and students in lower classes.
“Compulsory and extended lessons after regular school hours cease except where parental rights are sought and granted,” she added.
The permanent secretary further revealed that a meeting has been scheduled for August 26 to engage school owners, PTA leaders, and other education stakeholders on the new policies.
