Benue Board Seals Orenda and Opal Schools Over Textbook Policy Dispute

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board has shut down Orenda and Opal Schools amid allegations that learners were treated unfairly and that the institutions violated the state government's textbook policy. Dr Terna Francis, the board's Executive Secretary, announced the action on Friday, October 9, stating that it came after complaints from parents and a court ruling permitting enforcement. Francis said the schools compelled parents to purchase required textbooks from the institutions, which he said conflicted with a policy that permits textbooks to be reused and bought from bookstores selected by families. He alleged that some pupils were blocked from using approved books obtained elsewhere. In other cases, according to Francis, students whose parents could not afford the schools' textbooks had their assignments left ungraded even though school fees had been paid. Parents who asked for permission to let their children use books bought from outside sources, Francis said, were instructed either to purchase replacement books from the schools or to transfer their children elsewhere. He said the policy aims to ease families' financial burdens, enable younger siblings to reuse textbooks, and shield learners from unfair treatment. Francis stated that the board had explained the policy to school proprietors multiple times. It later invited the proprietor and administrators of the affected schools to a meeting about the complaints, but they failed to appear, he said. The board then went to court through the Benue State Attorney-General and secured an order to seal the premises. Francis also accused proprietor Onyinye Okoye and some staff members of verbally attacking enforcement officials and damaging a board vehicle after the order was served. He maintained that regulatory disputes should be pursued through lawful means and emphasized the importance of obeying court orders. The schools will stay sealed until their management satisfies the board's conditions and shows compliance with government regulations and respect for the rights of learners and parents, he said. Francis encouraged parents and guardians with similar grievances to file formal petitions backed by evidence, promising that the board would investigate and take suitable legal action.