2,424 schools Shut down in Benue State

Benue Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, has disclosed the closure of 2,424 schools in the state.

The commissioner said the closure was prompted by the discouraging performance of Benue students in both internal and external examinations.

He noted that the affected schools which cut across the 23 local government areas of the state lack a good environment, playground and good classrooms required for quality education.

Based on the breakdown; 1,977 primary schools were affected, 433 secondary schools and 14 tertiary institutions.

Ityavyar said that the illegitimate schools in the state resulted in the production of half-baked graduates leading to the establishment of so many special centers.

The commissioner said, ‘the decision to embark on closure of illegal schools across the 23 local governments of the state is a deliberate step towards improving the standards of quality education in the state.’

He cautioned the authority of the closed schools to comply with the closure order until all the criteria are met, noting that whoever violates the order will face prosecution.

The commissioner said that a team has been set up in all the local governments, to ensure strict compliance.

Members of the team comprise opinion leaders, traditional rulers, representatives of state commissioner of police and Director State Security Services as well as area education officers.

Naija News recalls Benue state as ranking 14 out of 36 states in the 2017 West African Examination Council, WAEC.