The Benue State Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) has sealed two private schools in Makurdi over allegations that pupils faced punitive treatment for failing to buy exercise and test books directly from the institutions.

The affected schools, Orenda and Opal, were shut following a court order after complaints from parents reportedly persisted despite attempts by education authorities to address the matter.

According to Vanguard, BEQAEB Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, said some pupils were allegedly denied basic classroom support despite paying their school fees. He claimed that teachers were instructed not to mark their homework and that some pupils were prevented from bringing their books into classrooms because the materials were not purchased from the schools.

Francis said the alleged practices violated the state’s textbook reuse policy, which permits parents to transfer books to younger children and buy prescribed textbooks from vendors of their choice. He added that the Board had contacted the proprietor and attempted to arrange meetings with the school management before seeking legal intervention alongside the state Attorney-General’s office.

The Executive Secretary said the schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators demonstrated compliance with government regulations and a commitment to protecting pupils’ rights. He also urged parents facing similar challenges to submit formal petitions supported by evidence, warning that schools found violating state education policies would face enforcement action.