Benue Bans Phones In Schools, Compulsory Extra Lessons As New Session Begins

The Benue State Government has banned the use of mobile phones during school hours and outlawed compulsory extra lessons after regular school hours, as pupils across the state resume for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Margaret Adamu, announced the directives at a press conference in Makurdi on Monday. She said any Parent-Teacher Association that wants to organise lessons outside regular hours must first obtain approval from the ministry, and even approved lessons must not be forced on students.

“There shall be no lessons after regular school hours. Any PTA requesting extra lessons must seek approval from the Ministry and must not make it compulsory,” Adamu said.

The new rules go beyond phones and extra lessons. The government also barred NGOs, individuals and other external bodies from entering private or public schools to run programmes, research or advocacy without authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management. Schools were further directed to teach only with textbooks approved by the state, to stop including the cost of textbooks in school fees, and to allow parents to buy approved books from schools or other sources.

On ceremonies, schools remain prohibited from holding graduation events for pupils in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education, Lower Basic and Middle Basic classes. Such ceremonies are now limited to exit classes, including Basic 9, Senior Secondary 3 and Technical 3.

The commissioner also condemned what she described as barbaric birthday celebrations in which learners manhandle celebrants in classrooms and hostels, and ordered school authorities to enforce existing bans on bullying, intimidation, harassment and hazing. Parents and guardians were warned against assaulting, threatening or verbally abusing teachers and school staff, while schools that ignore the directives face sanctions.

Adamu said the new academic session began on Monday and called for renewed commitment to quality education and strict compliance with government policies.

Sources: Punch, Daily Trust, Premium Times