The Benue State Government has announced major reforms in the education sector, scrapping the use of customized textbooks and exercise books, compulsory extended lessons, and graduation ceremonies in schools.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Helen Nambativ Zeramo, will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to the policy, schools must stop using customized books since they are not transferable to other students. Instead, learners are to return to the traditional system where books can be passed down from seniors to juniors, thereby reducing financial strain on parents.
The government also outlawed mandatory after-school lessons, stressing that such sessions should only take place with parents’ explicit approval.
In addition, ceremonies marking graduation at kindergarten, nursery, and basic school levels have been abolished. The ministry said the events are unnecessary and often impose extra costs on families.
Both public and private schools are expected to comply strictly with the new directive. To aid implementation, the government has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting with school owners, PTAs, and other education partners on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
