In a sweeping reform to ease the burden on parents, the Benue State Ministry of Education has scrapped costly school practices, including the use of non-transferable customised textbooks, compulsory after-school lessons, and elaborate graduation ceremonies for nursery and basic schools.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Helen Nambativ Zeramo, the Ministry announced the abolition of these unpopular practices among school owners in the state.

With immediate effect, all public and private schools have been directed to revert to the traditional practice of allowing educational materials to be passed down from senior learners to junior ones.

The statement further directed that compulsory and extended lessons beyond regular school hours must cease, except where parents or guardians give consent.

In the same vein, all compulsory graduation ceremonies have been abolished, particularly at the nursery and basic school levels, where such events have been considered an additional burden on parents.

According to the directive, strict compliance with the new policies will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.