Benue Gov Shuts 2 Schools Over Textbook Rules and Pupil Mistreatment

(Benue Government. Photo by Peoples Gazette)
 Two schools in Benue State, Orenda and Opal, have been shut down by the state exam board.

The board says the schools mistreated pupils and broke the state rule on textbooks.

The rule lets parents pass old books down to younger children.

It also lets parents buy books from any bookshop instead of only from the school.

Officials say the two schools refused to follow this and forced parents to buy from them.

Parents complained that some children were punished for not having the books.

Some teachers reportedly refused to mark homework, and kids who bought books elsewhere were not allowed to use them in class.

The school owner did not turn up to a meeting the board had called.

So the board got a court order to seal the buildings.

Officials say the owner, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff then attacked the board team and damaged one of their cars.

The board condemned the violence.

The two schools will stay closed until they follow the rules and obey the court.

Parents who face similar problems are asked to file a formal complaint with the board, along with proof.