Benue: State Seals Schools Over Forced Textbook Purchase Policy

• The Benue State Government sealed Orenda and Opal Schools due to alleged violations of its textbook policy and pupil victimization.
• The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) acted on parent petitions after school administrators failed to address complaints.
• A court order, obtained through the Benue State Attorney-General, authorized the sealing of the school premises.
• The schools allegedly forced parents to purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to a policy allowing external purchases and reuse.
• BEQAEB reported an alleged attack on its officials and vehicle by the proprietor and staff during the enforcement action.

This demonstrates the robust framework for school regulatory enforcement Nigeria has in place at the state level.

The Benue State Government has taken decisive action against two educational institutions, Orenda School and Opal School, by sealing their premises. This measure was implemented following allegations of significant breaches of the state's textbook policy and reports of students being subjected to punitive treatment for not purchasing required books directly from the schools. The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) initiated the enforcement, responding to numerous petitions submitted by concerned parents.

The sealing operation was led by Dr. Terna Francis, the Executive Secretary of BEQAEB, accompanied by officials from the board's Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance. Before the facilities were physically locked, a court order authorizing the action was formally served upon the proprietor of the schools. This step underscores the government's commitment to upholding educational standards and protecting the welfare of students and parents within the state. The board indicated that the schools' administration had previously failed to respond to an invitation to discuss the complaints, necessitating the escalation of the matter.

The core of the dispute centers on the Benue State government's established textbook policy, which grants parents considerable flexibility. This policy explicitly permits parents to reuse textbooks previously acquired for older children and allows them to obtain lists of required books from schools, subsequently purchasing these materials from external bookstores. However, BEQAEB alleged that Orenda and Opal Schools contravened this directive by insisting that parents procure textbooks exclusively from the institutions themselves, thereby creating a forced textbook purchase scenario.

Further concerns arose from reports detailing the adverse impact on students. The board received accounts of pupils whose parents had settled school fees but could not afford the institution-mandated textbooks being subjected to various forms of punitive treatment, including having their homework assignments left unmarked. Additionally, parents who had already purchased the necessary books from independent vendors claimed their children were denied permission to use these materials during the current academic session. In some instances, parents were reportedly given an ultimatum: either buy new textbooks directly from the schools or withdraw their children and seek enrollment elsewhere. The alleged practice of barring students from bringing externally purchased textbooks into classrooms reportedly led to demoralization among some learners, a situation Dr. Francis deemed unacceptable and contrary to the protection of learners' rights and welfare under Nigerian law.

The decision to seal the schools was not taken lightly, following a formal legal process. After the proprietor and administrators of Orenda and Opal Schools failed to attend a scheduled meeting to address the parental complaints, the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board pursued legal recourse. The board, acting through the Benue State Attorney-General, successfully obtained a court order that authorized the sealing of the school premises. This demonstrates the robust framework for school regulatory enforcement Nigeria has in place at the state level.

However, the enforcement action was reportedly met with resistance. According to BEQAEB, following the service of the court order, the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, along with members of staff, allegedly confronted Dr. Francis and his team. This incident reportedly involved verbal assaults directed at the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the board. BEQAEB has strongly condemned this alleged behavior, emphasizing that disagreements with regulatory authorities must be resolved through lawful channels rather than through violence or intimidation. The schools will remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators fulfill the board's conditions, demonstrate full compliance with government regulations, and commit to safeguarding the rights of both pupils and parents.

This enforcement action by the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board sends a clear message regarding the importance of Nigeria school textbook policy compliance. The government's policy is designed to offer financial flexibility to parents, encourage the reuse of educational materials, and prevent schools from imposing undue restrictions that could negatively affect students and their families. The sealing of Orenda and Opal Schools highlights the BEQAEB's readiness to utilize legal avenues, including securing court orders, to ensure adherence to these regulations.

For educational institutions in Benue State and potentially across Nigeria, this case serves as a critical reminder of the need for proactive compliance. Lawyers advising educational institutions should meticulously review their clients' textbook sales policies to ensure they align strictly with government directives. The incident also underscores the necessity for respectful engagement with regulatory authorities, as disputes are expected to be resolved through established legal and administrative processes. Parents and guardians experiencing similar policy violations or alleged victimization are encouraged to submit formal petitions, supported by relevant evidence, to BEQAEB for investigation and action.

Lawyers advising educational institutions in Benue State, and potentially across Nigeria, should review their clients' textbook sales policies to ensure strict compliance with government regulations. This case demonstrates the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board's willingness to pursue court orders and seal premises for policy violations, emphasizing the need for proactive compliance and respectful engagement with regulatory authorities.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper