Substandard school: PDP demands immediate resignation of education commissioner in Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State has called on Mrs Margaret Adamu to immediately resign from office as Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management for allegedly operating a substandard school in the state.

The PDP Chairman in the council area, Paul Tion, also urged the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, to institute a commission of inquiry to look into possible harm caused to the education sector in the state by what he described as the complicit conduct of the commissioner.

The party chairman made the call while briefing newsmen at his office in Makurdi, stating that the education commissioner is violating extant laws and operating a school against the standard set by the state government.

He said, following credible intelligence on the ownership and operation of a mushroom school in Makurdi by the commissioner, a discreet investigation was launched by concerned citizens.

The school in question is named Marleon International School and is located behind Mobile Barracks, Adeke, Makurdi.

According to him, “credible facts gathered established that the school is owned by Mrs. Margaret Adamu, the Commissioner of Education and Knowledge Management in Benue State.”

Pictorial and video evidence made available to newsmen during the briefing showed that the school operates under conditions which grossly violate the guidelines for the establishment of pre-primary and primary schools issued under extant laws regulating the educational sector in the state.

“Under extant educational laws in Benue State, schools must operate in purpose-built educational facilities, meet strict health, sanitation, staffing, and safety requirements, and undergo inspection and approval before operation.”

The PDP chairman said Marleon International School, by available evidence, falls short in several critical areas.

He noted that “Marleon International School operates within a four-bedroom residential apartment, with private rooms converted into classrooms. This arrangement contradicts extant provisions of law requiring approved building plans, standard classroom dimensions, adequate ventilation, emergency exits, and a clear separation between residential and school facilities.

“The guidelines further prohibit the establishment of residential or boarding-style nursery and primary schools.”

He also named the discovery of toilets that are unfit for a school premises, describing it as a direct violation of extant laws’ requirements of VIP or water-cistern toilets designed to ensure hygiene, child safety and proper waste disposal in learning environments.

Tion also said, “Available evidence shows that Merleon International School runs its nursery, primary and secondary classes with only thirteen (13) teachers. This falls below the prescribed minimum number of teachers, the requirement of one teacher per class, and the approved teacher–pupil ratio of 1:25, all of which are clearly stipulated under extant regulations.

“There is no evidence that the school meets requirements for a functional playground, basic health scheme, potable water supply, fencing, fire-fighting equipment, library, or other essential facilities mandated for the safe and effective operation of a primary school.

“These discoveries are particularly troubling considering that Dr Mrs Margaret Adamu, as Commissioner of Education and Knowledge Management, is the chief custodian of educational standards in Benue State. If her privately owned school is indeed operating outside approved standards, it represents a serious conflict of interest, a breach of public trust, and a moral failure that undermines the credibility of education regulation in the state.

“Suffice to say that a Commissioner of Education who operates a substandard school cannot, in good conscience, enforce quality standards across the state. This constitutes a clear failure of integrity, ethics and leadership.

“I hereby, in the interest of the public good and protection of the Benue child’s right to quality education, call for the immediate resignation of Dr Mrs Margaret Adamu from office as Commissioner of Education and Knowledge Management in Benue State. Her continued stay in office raises grave concerns over institutional integrity, moral authority and the will to enforce quality educational standards in the state.

“I also call on Governor Hyacinth Alia to institute a Commission of Inquiry to look into possible harm caused to the educational sector of the state by the complicit conduct of Mrs Adamu.

“Benue children deserve safe schools, qualified teachers and non-compromised standards, not selective enforcement, regulatory capture or institutional hypocrisy. The future of our children must never be sacrificed on the altar of personal interest.”

When contacted, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Margaret Adamu, said she would get back as she was in a meeting. As at press time, the commissioner had not got back and also did not take calls made to her phone.