From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State Bureau for Education Quality Assurance (BEQA) said it will commence demolition substandard schools across the state by the end of the 2023/2024 academic session.
The demolition exercise would be carried out in collaboration with the Benue State Urban Development Board.
The Director General, BEQA, Dr. Terna Francis, disclosed this when he led delegation from his office to visit the General Manager of Urban Development Board, Ternongo Mede.
Terna who restated BEQA’s commitment to restore excellence in the state education sector highlighted the deteriorated state of education in the state, emphasizing BEQA’s role in reviving the sector.
He said “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 lamented the poor conditions of many schools and reiterated the bureau’s readiness to enforce compliance.
The DG stated that by the end of the term, BEQA will publish a list of substandard schools operating in the state, advising parents to withdraw their children from such schools and put them in quality assured ones.
“We will not only seal schools but also demolish structures that threaten learners’ safety.”
He said anyone seeking to establish a school must first visit the Urban Development Board to obtain all the necessary permits, noting that it is not business as usual as the Bureau will monitor each step in the process of school establishment according to the books.
The General Manager, Ternongo Mede, while welcoming the BEQA team, acknowledged the great strides the DG was taking towards strengthening the quality of education in the state and pledged the board’s full cooperation in implementing these new policies and programs.
Mede who regretted that education in the state has become business for many people said “we are prepared to synergize with BEQA to commence this exercise of demolishing illegal school structures immediately.