By Daniel Aondoaseer Zendesha 

MAKURDI, BENUE STATE — The Benue State Government has introduced stricter rules for schools as the 2026/27 academic session begins, including restrictions on mobile phones, a ban on extra lessons after regular school hours and tighter controls on external organisations accessing school premises.

The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Margaret Adamu, announced the directives at a press conference in Makurdi on Monday, September 7, 2026.

According to Adamu, individuals, non-governmental organisations and other external bodies must obtain appropriate authorisation from the ministry before conducting programmes, research, advocacy or interventions in public or private schools across the state.

“No NGO, individual, organisation or external body shall enter a school to conduct programmes, activities, research, advocacy or interventions without the appropriate authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management,” she said.

Mobile phones restricted in schools

The government has also prohibited learners from possessing or using mobile phones during school hours, except where specifically authorised for legitimate educational purposes under applicable school guidelines.

The directive is part of broader measures targeting discipline and classroom focus. The government also expects learners to resume on time, attend classes regularly and remain within authorised school areas.

School authorities have been directed to address late coming, truancy and loitering during school hours.

Extra lessons banned

Another major change is the prohibition of extra lessons after regular school hours.

The government said the measures are intended, among other objectives, to reduce unnecessary financial pressure on parents while improving discipline and strengthening the quality of regular classroom instruction.

However, the supplied government statement does not provide details on whether any specific categories of after-school academic activities may be exempted. Further clarification from the ministry would therefore be important for parents, teachers and school administrators.

Government takes tougher stance on bullying

The commissioner also warned against bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and other forms of violence among learners.

She specifically condemned what she described as “barbaric ways of celebrating birthdays”, in which learners allegedly manhandle celebrants in schools, classrooms and hostels.

“Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and all forms of violence among learners are strictly prohibited,” Adamu said, directing school authorities to maintain safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments.

The government also warned parents and guardians against assaulting, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing teachers, principals and other school staff.

Schools warned to comply

Adamu said non-compliance with approved policies and directives would attract appropriate sanctions under applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.

She urged proprietors, principals and heads of schools to familiarise themselves with ministry directives and ensure full implementation.

“Ignorance of an existing policy will not be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance,” she said.

The commissioner added that the ministry would strengthen monitoring, supervision and quality assurance activities to ensure that the policies are implemented at school level.

What the new rules mean

The new directives place greater responsibility on school authorities to enforce discipline while also setting clearer boundaries around learner conduct, external interventions and interactions between parents and school staff.

For parents, the extra-lessons ban could reduce education-related expenses, although its practical impact will depend on how schools implement the directive.

For learners, the phone restriction and prohibition of bullying and hazing could affect everyday school routines and student interactions.

For NGOs and other organisations working with schools, the authorisation requirement means programmes and interventions will need prior approval from the education ministry.

The success of the measures will ultimately depend on consistent implementation, clear communication and effective monitoring across both public and private schools.

For now, the ministry says it is prepared to strengthen supervision as the new academic session gets underway.