By Sar Terver
The Benue State government has announced sweeping reforms in the education sector, abolishing the use of customized learning materials, compulsory graduation ceremonies, and extended lessons in both public and private schools across the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs. Nambativ Helen Zeramo, said the decision followed the government’s concern over the financial burden such practices place on parents and guardians.
According to her, the use of restrictive customized materials such as branded textbooks and exercise books has been discontinued with immediate effect.
Schools have been directed to revert to the traditional practice of allowing senior students to pass down textbooks for use by junior students.
The ministry also ordered an end to compulsory after-school lessons, except in cases where parents give their consent. In addition, it announced the suspension of graduation ceremonies at the kindergarten, nursery, and primary school levels, describing them as unnecessary and burdensome.
Mrs. Zeramo explained that the directives are in line with the policy thrust of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, which aims to ease the financial pressure on households and promote inclusive access to education. She stressed that all schools are to comply with the new directives beginning from the first term of the 2025/2026 academic session.
To ensure smooth implementation, the ministry has scheduled a meeting with school proprietors, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and other education stakeholders for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
