By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Schools across the 23 local government areas of Benue State have resumed for the 2026/2027 academic session, with the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Ijaguwa Adamu, calling on education stakeholders to renew their commitment to quality education and comply strictly with government policies.
The Commissioner made the call on Monday while briefing journalists at her office in the Benue State Secretariat, Makurdi, as learners returned to schools after the long vacation.
She congratulated learners, parents, teachers, school proprietors and education managers on the commencement of the new session, urging them to approach the academic year with discipline, dedication and a determination to achieve improved learning outcomes.
According to Adamu, the resumption provides another opportunity to strengthen the education system and produce responsible, knowledgeable, skilled and patriotic citizens, in line with the vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
She said the governor’s commitment to human capital development had resulted in several interventions in the education sector.
These, she said, included the recruitment of more than 9,000 teachers, construction and renovation of over 400 public schools, implementation of free and compulsory education in public basic schools, regular payment of workers’ salaries and the BRACE-UP initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Other interventions, according to the commissioner, include scholarship awards to indigent students, distribution of teaching and learning materials to schools, including IDP camps, support for school sporting activities and digital skills training for students.
She also noted that Benue emerged winner of the 2026 Milo competition in the girls’ category.
Commissioner Charges School Managers, Teachers.
The commissioner charged principals, head teachers, teachers and school management teams to make teaching and learning their top priority during the new academic session.
She urged school heads to provide effective leadership, ensure regular attendance by teachers and learners, maintain discipline, protect school facilities, keep proper administrative and financial records and continuously monitor academic performance.
Teachers, she said, must be punctual, committed and innovative, while ensuring that every learner receives the necessary attention and support to succeed.
Adamu also directed schools to teach learners the Benue State Anthem and ensure that they can recite it properly.
She said the Benue State Anthem, school anthem and National Anthem should form part of appropriate school assemblies and civic orientation to promote patriotism, unity, identity and commitment to the development of the state and country.
Parents Asked To Support Children’s Education
The commissioner appealed to parents and guardians to provide their children and wards with necessary learning materials, including approved textbooks, exercise books and writing materials.
She also urged parents to monitor attendance, conduct and academic progress and maintain constructive communication with school authorities.
While acknowledging parents as critical partners in the education system, Adamu called for cooperation rather than confrontation between parents and school administrators.
Schools Warned Against Policy Violations
The commissioner directed all school proprietors, principals and heads of schools to strictly comply with existing policies, guidelines and directives of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
She specifically reminded schools of the requirement for appropriate insurance cover for learners, in line with the ministry’s provisions involving NICON Insurance.
On textbooks, Adamu said only approved main textbooks should be used for teaching, warning against the use of restricted or customised non-transferable textbooks.
She added that inherited textbooks could be used where they were still in good condition, while ECCDE textbooks remained non-transferable.
The commissioner further stressed that the cost of textbooks must not be embedded in school fees, noting that parents were free to purchase approved books from schools or other sources.
No Extra Lessons Without Approval
On extra lessons, Adamu warned that schools must not conduct lessons after regular school hours.
She said any PTA seeking to organise extra lessons must first obtain approval from the ministry, adding that such lessons must not be made compulsory for learners.
She also clarified that graduation ceremonies were not permitted for learners in ECCDE, Lower Basic and Middle Basic classes.
According to her, graduation ceremonies are permitted only for exit classes whose learners are to receive certificates, namely Upper Basic 9, SS3 and Technical 3.
The commissioner also condemned the practice of learners physically manhandling classmates during birthday celebrations in schools, classrooms and hostels, describing such acts as unacceptable.
Adamu said learners were prohibited from possessing or using mobile phones during school hours, except where specifically authorised for legitimate educational purposes under applicable school guidelines.
She also directed schools to tackle lateness, truancy and loitering, stressing that learners were expected to resume on time, attend classes regularly and remain within authorised school areas.
She warned that bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and all forms of violence among learners were strictly prohibited.
School authorities, she said, must ensure that learning environments remained safe, respectful and inclusive.
Parents Warned Against Assaulting Teachers
The commissioner further warned parents and guardians against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school staff.
She said grievances should instead be addressed through appropriate channels.
Adamu also warned that no NGO, individual, organisation or external body would be allowed to enter schools to conduct programmes, research, advocacy or interventions without appropriate authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
The commissioner said the ministry’s policies were designed to protect learners, reduce unnecessary financial burdens on parents, improve discipline, strengthen school management and raise the standard of education across the state.
She warned that violations of approved policies and directives would attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and guidelines.
Adamu said proprietors, principals and heads of schools were expected to familiarise themselves with all relevant ministry directives and ensure their full implementation, stressing that ignorance of existing policies would not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance.
She added that the ministry would strengthen monitoring, supervision and quality assurance activities across schools to ensure compliance at the school level.
The commissioner maintained that quality education remained a shared responsibility among government, teachers, school managers, parents, learners and the wider community.
She assured that government would continue to provide policy direction, support and supervision, but stressed that the success of the education system depended largely on the commitment of all stakeholders.
Adamu urged teachers and school administrators to make the 2026/2027 academic session a year of greater accountability, improved learning outcomes, discipline, innovation and dedicated service to children.
She equally encouraged learners to return to school with enthusiasm, respect for authority and commitment to their studies, urging them to make the best use of the opportunities provided by the government.
