The Benue State Bureau for Education Quality Assurance (BEQA) has announced the closure of 2,100 primary and secondary schools during its initial phase of enforcement against the illegal operation of educational institutions within the state.
The Director General of BEQA, Dr Terna Francis, shared this information while attending the Speech and Prize Giving Day at a school in Makurdi, serving as the Special Guest of Honour.
During the ceremony, which included a symbolic presentation of results to students transitioning from Basic 6 to 7, Dr Francis emphasized that school proprietors should refrain from pressuring parents regarding graduation in the context of Primary 6 being no longer recognized as a certificate class.
He disclosed that 2,100 schools had been selected for closure in the initial phase of the crackdown on unaccredited educational institutions, further stating that schools that have successfully obtained their recertification forms and have completed the requisite procedures are invited to collect their certificates of consent, which now represent formal approval.
Dr Francis extended his gratitude to parents for their dedication to providing quality education for their children and praised the school for its efforts, acknowledging that during his unplanned visits, he observed satisfactory academic records.
The Director General also emphasized the importance of students maintaining their focus on academic excellence while cautioning school proprietors against imposing undue financial burdens on parents.
He seized this opportunity to enlighten the public regarding the implementation of the 9-3-4 educational system in Benue State in accordance with the Federal Ministry of Education’s directives.
He clarified that students would progress from the Basic 6 to Basic 7 level, and upon completion of Basic 9, they would be issued the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) through the issuance of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Furthermore, Francis announced that the Bureau, in collaboration with the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB), would commence the closure of unapproved educational institutions and the demolition of those deemed substandard, starting in August.
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