In Benue State, 2,100 primary and secondary schools would be closed down closure in the first phase of clampdown on illegal operations of educational institutions in the state.
The Director General of the Benue State Bureau for Education Quality Assurance (BEQA), Dr. Terna Francis, disclosed this on Wednesday when he attended the Speech and Prize Giving Day at Templegate Academy in Makurdi as the Special Guest of Honour.
The DG made a symbolic presentation of result to the learners transiting from Basic 6 to 7 in the school where he said school owners should stop stressing parents in the name of graduation as Primary 6 was no longer a certificate class.
Francis said 2,100 schools were not accredited schools, adding that schools that have obtained their recertification forms and completed the necessary processes should come for collection of their certificates of consent, which now stands as formal approval.
He said during his routine unscheduled visits, he observed that academic records of the school were generally satisfactory, and also urged pupils to remain focused on achieving academic excellence.
Francies told owners of schools to avoid imposing unnecessary levies on parents as he used the opportunity to inform the public about the 9-3-4 education system adopted by Benue State in alignment with the Federal Ministry of Education’s policy.
He said pupils would now transit from Basic 6 to Basic 7, and by the end of Basic 9, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will be issued which will serve as the First School Leaving Certificate.
Francis said the Bureau would collaborate with the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB) to close down unapproved schools and demolish substandard ones beginning from August.
