The Benue State Government has banned schools across the state from compelling pupils and students to attend extra lessons after regular school hours.

The directive was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, during a press conference in Makurdi as schools resumed for the 2026/2027 academic session.

Adamu said no school, whether public or private, would be allowed to organise compulsory lessons outside normal school hours.

She, however, clarified that Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) seeking to provide additional academic lessons must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Education, while participation by learners must remain voluntary.

“There shall be no lessons after regular school hours. Any PTA requesting extra lessons must seek approval from the Ministry and must not make it compulsory,” the commissioner said.

She warned school proprietors, principals and administrators against violating the directive, stressing that institutions found breaching the state’s education policies would face sanctions.

The commissioner also ordered schools to limit teaching materials to textbooks approved by the Ministry, prohibiting the use of customised or non-transferable books.

According to her, schools must not incorporate the cost of textbooks into school fees. Parents, she said, must be free to purchase approved textbooks either from the schools or from other sources.

Adamu further reiterated the government’s ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE), Lower Basic and Middle Basic classes.

She said graduation ceremonies would only be permitted for recognised exit classes, including Basic 9, Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) and Technical 3.

The commissioner also frowned on violent birthday celebrations in schools, particularly practices involving the physical manhandling of pupils or students celebrating their birthdays.

She directed school authorities to strictly enforce existing rules against bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing and other forms of violence among learners.

Adamu said the measures were aimed at strengthening compliance with education standards and ensuring a safer and more regulated learning environment across public and private schools in Benue State.