Cross River Bans Lessons After 2PM, Introduces Sweeping Education Reforms

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Cross River State Government has unveiled a comprehensive set of education reforms aimed at standardising school operations, safeguarding pupils, and strengthening data management across the state.

The measures, approved by Governor Bassey Otu and announced in Calabar by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, take immediate effect.

Key highlights of the reforms include:

Unified Academic Calendar: All public and private schools must now adhere to a single state-approved timetable.

Graduation Rules: Ceremonies will henceforth be restricted to Primary 6, JSS3, and SS3 classes only.

Textbook Regulation: Only Ministry-approved and reusable textbooks are permitted.

No Lessons After 2PM: Primary schools must close by 1pm and secondary schools by 2pm. Compulsory after-school lessons are prohibited, with extra coaching allowed only with parental consent.

Anti-Drug Clubs: Every school is required to establish a club to combat drug abuse among pupils.

Anti-Bullying Policy: Schools must set up Anti-Bullying Committees, with offenders facing immediate expulsion.

Index Number System: From the 2025/26 academic session, every pupil will be assigned a unique identification number for proper record-keeping.

The Commissioner emphasised that compliance is non-negotiable, warning that violators risk sanctions, including loss of accreditation and withdrawal of operating licences.