The Benue State Bureau for Education Quality Assurance (BEQA), in partnership with the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB), has announced that it will begin the demolition of substandard schools in the State. The exercise would begin at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic session across the State.

Dr. Terna Francis, Director General of BEQA, made the statement on Tuesday, 16 July 2024, in Makurdi. He said the action demonstrated BEQA’s commitment to restoring quality in the State’s education system. Dr. Francis blasted the sector’s decay, affirming that Governor Hyacinth Alia-led administration is dedicated to improving it and making it the envy of other states. He pointed out that BEQA had already taken steps to ensure sanity in the State’s education system.

“Our office is tasked with the responsibility of closing schools that fail to meet establishment guidelines, education laws, as well as the national policy on education.” He went on to say that at the conclusion of this term, BEQA would produce a list of all substandard schools in the State that would be affected by the exercise.

He instructed parents to remove their children and wards from such schools in favor of quality-assured ones, stating, “We will not only seal schools but also demolish structures that endanger learners’ lives.” He urged anyone interested in establishing a school in the State to first approach the Urban Development Board to secure the necessary approvals before proceeding with the operation of the business.

“It is no longer business as usual because the Bureau will effectively monitor to the letter each step in the process of school establishment in any part of the state,” the Director stated.

Ternongo Mede, the General Manager of BSUDB, in his remarks, said: “Education in the State has become a business for many people, but we are prepared to collaborate with BEQA to begin this exercise of demolishing illegal school structures immediately.”

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