The Benue State Government has announced sweeping reforms in the education sector, including the abolition of graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Basic school pupils across the state.
The directive, contained in a statement dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs. Helen Zeramo, also outlawed the use of customised textbooks and exercise books in both public and private schools.
According to the ministry, such customised materials made it impossible for books to be reused or transferred to other students, thereby placing unnecessary financial burdens on parents. Schools have now been directed to revert to the traditional practice of passing books down from senior pupils to those in lower classes.
The new policy also prohibits compulsory or extended lessons outside regular school hours unless parents give express consent.
The statement, titled “New Education Policy in Benue Public and Private Schools,” emphasized that the reforms are in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration’s vision to make education more affordable and accessible to the masses.
“All compulsory graduation ceremonies in Benue State schools are hereby abolished, especially for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Basic schools,” the statement read in part.
The new policies will take effect from the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year.
To ensure smooth implementation, the government has scheduled a meeting with proprietors of schools, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and other education stakeholders for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
