In a sweeping effort to reform its education sector, the Benue State Government has uncovered over 4,000 illegal and substandard schools operating across various local government areas of the state.
This was disclosed by Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, during a press briefing in Makurdi. Tersoo described the discovery as alarming, noting that most of the affected institutions were not conducive for learning and lacked qualified teachers, posing a serious threat to the quality of education in the state.
“These schools are littered across the state and have no business existing. Many are without qualified staff or the basic infrastructure required for meaningful learning,” Tersoo said.
In response to the crisis, the current administration has taken significant steps to reposition the education system. Among them is the recruitment of 9,700 qualified teachers to strengthen the teaching workforce in public primary schools across Benue.
The government also cleared examination fees for over 19,000 students who sat for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) in the 2023/2024 academic year, easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.
Furthermore, the administration has fulfilled a longstanding demand by clearing a 38-month backlog of earned allowances owed to staff of the Moses Adasu University (formerly Benue State University), a move widely praised by the academic community.
“Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration is committed to the educational advancement of every child in the state, and these reforms are a testament to that vision,” Tersoo emphasized.
Education stakeholders have lauded the state government’s actions, urging strict enforcement to shut down illegal schools and continuous investment in teacher training, curriculum development, and infrastructure.
As Benue pushes forward with its education reforms, the focus now shifts to monitoring, regulation, and sustainability—ensuring that the improvements are not only far-reaching but enduring.