BENUE TO SHUT DOWN 4,000 SUB-STANDARD SCHOOLS - OFFICIAL. (PHOTO).

 BENUE TO SHUT DOWN 4,000 SUB-STANDARD SCHOOLS - OFFICIAL

The Benue state government Thursday announced the planned closure of 4,000 schools that failed to meet operational standards, as part of a sweeping reform to sanitise the state’s education sector.

The chief press secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, at a press briefing in Makurdi, stated that the institutions earmarked for closure were found lacking in infrastructure, academic standards and compliance with basic regulatory requirements.

“This administration is determined to reposition education. Schools that do not meet the standard or have failed to meet the minimum requirements to function will no longer be allowed to operate,” Kula stated.

While fielding questions, Kula declined to respond directly to criticisms from former Governor Samuel Ortom, describing them as “propaganda,” and suggested Ortom’s public commentary was designed to deflect from his own eight-year track record.

In a particularly pointed critique, the press secretary questioned the legacy of Professor Dennis Ityavyar, former Commissioner for Education, recalling alleged mismanagement under his tenure.

Professor Ityavyar had in recent interview published in some online newspapers rated Governor  Alia’s administration low in performance and insisted that he has not done anything tangible, particularly in the area of security.

He said the governor does not feel the pains of the people whose love ones were being massacred by the herdsmen.

He was also reported to have stated the danger inherent in giving leadership to one who has no experience in politics, pointing out that “Alia is a good example as he is a monumental disaster.”

But reacting Kula said, “Most schools under Prof. Ityavyar’s watch could barely function. Instead of reform, he imposed burdens on students, including ₦250,000 payments per school for grass cutting machines and mandatory fees for scholarships and identity cards, none of which yielded tangible benefits.”