The Benue State Bureau for Education Quality Assurance (BEQA) has announced the closure of 2,100 primary and secondary schools in its first phase of a crackdown on illegal educational institutions.
Dr. Terna Francis, Director General of BEQA, revealed this during the Speech and Prize Giving Day at Templegate Academy in Makurdi, where he was the Special Guest of Honour.
During the event, Francis emphasized that primary 6 is no longer considered a certificate class and urged school owners to avoid placing unnecessary financial burdens on parents for graduation ceremonies.
Francis explained that the targeted schools are unaccredited, and those that have completed the recertification process should collect their certificates of consent, which now serve as formal approval.
He praised parents for their dedication to quality education and commended Templegate Academy for its satisfactory academic records observed during his unscheduled visits. Francis also advised students to stay focused on academic excellence and informed the public about Benue State’s adoption of the 9-3-4 education system, aligned with the Federal Ministry of Education’s policy.
Learners will now transition from Basic 6 to Basic 7, and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will be issued at the end of Basic 9, serving as the First School Leaving Certificate.
Starting in August, BEQA, in collaboration with the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB), will begin closing down unapproved schools and demolishing substandard ones.
Isaiah Terna Hindan, head of Templegate Academy, expressed gratitude to the BEQA DG for honoring the school and for donating 30 copies of Civic Education and National Values textbooks to be awarded to students.
News Editor