Benue restricts compulsory extra lessons, phones and customised textbooks

Benue State has introduced new rules affecting extra lessons, textbooks, mobile phones and graduation ceremonies as schools begin the 2026/2027 academic session.

The state government says the measures are intended to reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents, strengthen discipline and improve school management.

For families, the most immediate changes concern what schools can require pupils to attend, what parents can be compelled to pay for and what learners can use during school hours.

Compulsory extra lessons restricted

Schools are not permitted to make after-school lessons compulsory.

Education Commissioner Margaret Adamu said any Parent-Teacher Association seeking to organise extra lessons must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.

Even where approval is granted, participation must remain voluntary.

That means the new rule is not a blanket ban on every approved after-school lesson.

It prevents schools from treating such lessons as an automatic requirement for all learners.

Customised textbooks prohibited

The government has also prohibited customised or restricted textbooks designed in ways that prevent them from being reused by another learner.

Schools are expected to use approved main textbooks.

Inherited textbooks may be reused where they remain in good condition, except where specific materials are not transferable.

The state also says textbook costs must not be embedded in school fees.

Parents may buy approved textbooks from schools or from other vendors.

The policy is intended to give families more choice and reduce repeated spending.

IDNN has not seen evidence measuring how much households will actually save.

Phones restricted during school hours

Learners may not possess or use mobile phones during school hours unless specifically authorised for educational purposes.

The rule allows limited educational use where a school gives approval.

Graduation ceremonies limited

Graduation ceremonies are restricted to recognised exit classes.

Current guidance allows ceremonies for classes such as Basic 9, SS3 and Technical 3.

The state says ceremonies should not be organised for lower non-exit levels.

That may reduce some ceremonial spending by families, but no verified savings figure has been published.

Schools warned over compliance

The commissioner warned that schools or individuals that breach the rules could face “appropriate sanctions.”

The material reviewed by IDNN does not set out a detailed schedule of fines, suspension periods or other penalties for each type of violation.

Schools are therefore expected to comply with the directive while awaiting any more detailed enforcement guidance.

What parents and schools need to know

For now, the practical position is:

Compulsory after-school lessons are prohibited.

PTA-organised extra lessons require ministry approval and still cannot be made compulsory.

Only approved main textbooks should be used, while customised non-transferable books are prohibited.

Parents should be free to buy approved books from schools or other vendors rather than having textbook costs automatically built into school fees.

Learners cannot use mobile phones during school hours unless specifically authorised for educational purposes.

Graduation ceremonies are limited to recognised exit classes.

The government says the rules are intended to reduce financial pressure and improve discipline.

Whether they achieve those outcomes will depend on implementation and enforcement across schools.