Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Benue State Government has sealed Orenda and Opal Schools over allegations that they compelled parents to purchase textbooks and other learning materials directly from the institutions, in violation of the state’s education policy.
The enforcement action was carried out by the Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) following complaints that some pupils were allegedly disadvantaged because their parents did not buy the required books from the schools.
According to reports, the board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, led officials from its Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance to seal the school premises after obtaining a court order through the Benue State Attorney-General.
The action has drawn attention to the government’s efforts to regulate private schools, reduce the financial burden on parents and ensure that children are not unfairly treated over the purchase of educational materials.
Why the Schools Were Sealed
Francis said the board received complaints from parents alleging that their children were being treated unfairly because they had not purchased exercise books and test books directly from the schools.
Some parents reportedly claimed that their children were not receiving appropriate attention in class despite payment of school fees.
The board said it had previously contacted the school proprietor and directed the management to stop the alleged practice. However, further complaints reportedly prompted the agency to take additional steps.
Francis said the board invited the proprietor, school administrators and the Parent-Teacher Association chairman to meetings aimed at resolving the dispute, but the proprietor allegedly failed to attend.
Following the unsuccessful attempts to address the matter, the board approached a court through the state Attorney-General and obtained an order authorising the closure of the schools.
Officials subsequently served the order on the proprietor before sealing the premises.
Benue’s Policy on Textbook Purchases
The dispute centres on the state’s policy allowing parents to reuse suitable textbooks and purchase prescribed learning materials from suppliers of their choice.
The policy is intended to reduce the cost of education by preventing families from being unnecessarily required to purchase new textbooks for every academic session.
Under the arrangement described by the board, parents can obtain the required books from external bookshops rather than being compelled to buy them directly from their children’s schools.
Schools may provide textbook lists to help parents identify the appropriate materials, but the policy is intended to preserve their freedom to choose where to purchase them.
The arrangement is particularly important for families with several school-age children, as reusing suitable textbooks can help reduce household education expenses.
The state government has sought to prevent practices that could place additional financial pressure on parents or make access to classroom learning dependent on where educational materials were purchased.
Alleged Victimisation of Pupils
The board also raised concerns about the reported treatment of pupils whose parents purchased books outside the schools or could not meet the alleged requirements.
According to reports quoting Francis, some pupils were allegedly disadvantaged in classroom activities because their parents did not obtain the prescribed materials directly from the institutions.
There were also allegations that some teachers had been instructed not to mark the homework of affected learners.
The board described the alleged conduct as a violation of the state’s education policy and raised concerns about its implications for children’s welfare.
However, the allegations should not be treated as established findings against the schools. The reports available do not provide a detailed court judgment determining the merits of each complaint.
The court order authorised the sealing of the premises, while the specific allegations concerning classroom treatment and textbook purchases remain attributed to the education board and the reports of the incident.
Government Warns Schools to Comply With Education Regulations
The closure highlights the responsibility of private school operators to comply with applicable government regulations and directives.
Private schools provide educational opportunities for many families, but their operations remain subject to state oversight.
School administrators are expected to communicate textbook requirements clearly, respect government policies and ensure that disputes over educational materials do not unfairly affect pupils.
The case also highlights the need for parents to understand their rights and the procedures available for reporting alleged violations.
Francis urged parents experiencing similar problems in other schools to submit formal complaints to the board with supporting evidence.
The board can then assess the complaints and determine whether further regulatory action is necessary.
Alleged Confrontation During Enforcement
A report by Trust Radio published on October 9 also quoted Francis as alleging that the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff members verbally assaulted officials and damaged an official vehicle during the enforcement exercise.
The reported incident has raised additional concerns about the conduct of those involved in the operation.
The claims remain allegations, and the reports reviewed did not establish whether a separate criminal investigation or prosecution had commenced over the alleged confrontation.
The enforcement exercise followed a court order, according to the reports, and the board indicated that the schools would remain sealed until the relevant compliance conditions were met.
What Happens Next?
The reopening of Orenda and Opal Schools will depend on the applicable requirements set by the authorities and the resolution of the issues identified by the education board.
As of October 9, 2026, the reports reviewed did not confirm a reopening date or provide a detailed response from the school management to the allegations.
The closure could also prompt other school operators to review their textbook sales practices and ensure that their policies comply with state regulations.
For affected parents and pupils, further clarification from the education authorities will be important in determining how learning will continue while the schools remain closed.
The case underscores the importance of enforcing education policies fairly, protecting learners from alleged victimisation and ensuring that families are not subjected to unnecessary financial burdens.
It also highlights the need for transparent investigations and opportunities for the affected schools to respond to the allegations through appropriate procedures.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Vanguard — Report on the sealing of two Benue schools over alleged textbook policy violations and victimisation of pupils, October 8, 2026.
- Trust Radio — Report on the Benue government’s closure of schools over alleged compulsory textbook purchases, October 9, 2026.
- Benue Today — Report on BEQAEB’s enforcement action against Orenda and Opal Schools, October 8, 2026.
