The Benue State Government has introduced fresh restrictions in schools, banning mobile phones, unauthorised external activities and extra lessons after official school hours.
The new rules, announced as the state begins a new academic session, are aimed at tightening discipline, protecting learners and improving the standard of education across Benue.
The State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, announced the measures at a press conference in Makurdi on Monday.
She said schools would resume for the new academic session on Monday, September 7, 2026, while warning proprietors, principals, teachers, students and parents to comply strictly with approved government policies.
Under the new directives, pupils and students are prohibited from possessing or using mobile phones during school hours, except where specifically authorised for legitimate educational purposes.
The government also banned extra lessons after regular school hours, a move it said was partly intended to reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
The ministry further warned that no individual, NGO, organisation or other external body would be allowed to enter a school to conduct programmes, research, advocacy or interventions without prior authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
Birthday celebrations in schools have also come under scrutiny.
Adamu condemned what she described as “barbaric” birthday celebrations in which students reportedly manhandle or assault celebrants in classrooms, schools and hostels.
Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and every form of violence among learners were equally prohibited.
The commissioner directed school authorities to ensure that students arrive on time, attend classes regularly and remain within authorised areas during school hours.
Late-coming, truancy and loitering, she warned, must be dealt with firmly by school management.
The government also issued a warning to parents and guardians against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school workers.
Adamu said the new measures were designed to protect students, strengthen discipline and school management, ease financial burdens on parents and ultimately improve educational standards.
She warned that anyone who violates the approved policies could face sanctions under existing laws, regulations and guidelines.
According to her, school proprietors, principals and heads of schools are expected to familiarise themselves with all relevant directives and ensure their implementation, stressing that ignorance would not be accepted as an excuse.
The commissioner added that the ministry would intensify monitoring, supervision and quality assurance across schools to ensure that the new rules are not merely announced but enforced.
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