Benue State Government has announced an immediate ban on graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and basic school pupils, and the use of non-transferable textbooks in schools across the state.
Mrs. Helen Nambativ, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, disclosed this in a memo on 15 August 25 addressed to school proprietors, guardians, and other education stakeholders in Makurdi.
She explained that the decision aims to ease the financial burden on parents and redirect focus toward the academic development of children. The policy takes effect from the first term of the 2025/2026 academic session.
“The unpopular use of restricted, customised educational materials such as text and exercise books, which makes them non-transferable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished.
All schools are directed to revert to the traditional practice of senior pupils and students passing down books to their juniors,” the statement read.
The government also directed that compulsory or extended lessons after normal school hours must cease, except in cases where parents give consent and approval is granted.
Nambativ further announced that a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with school proprietors, PTA leaders, and other education stakeholders will hold on 26 August 2025 to discuss the new policy.
