Harry Archie
The Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has shut down Orenda and Opal Schools over allegations of forcing parents to buy textbooks directly from the schools and unfairly treating pupils.
The board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, said on Friday that the action followed complaints from parents who accused the schools of violating the state government’s policy allowing them to reuse textbooks and buy books from any bookstore.
Francis said some pupils whose parents could not afford the textbooks sold by the schools were allegedly punished, including having their homework left unmarked.
He added that the school management reportedly refused to allow pupils to use textbooks their parents had purchased elsewhere, telling some parents to buy new ones or withdraw their children.
According to Francis, the board invited the school owners and administrators to discuss the complaints, but they failed to attend.
The board then obtained a court order to close the schools.
He also alleged that the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, and some staff members verbally attacked the officials during the closure exercise and damaged an official vehicle.
Francis said the schools would remain closed until their owners complied with government regulations and met the board’s conditions.
He urged parents whose children had faced similar treatment to submit formal complaints to the board for investigation.
