C’River govt shuts 58 unapproved schools in ongoing crackdown

The Cross River government says it has shut down no fewer than 58 unapproved schools in Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Odukpani and Yakurr Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, disclosed on Saturday in Calabar. According to him, the ministry’s Department of Quality Assurance has intensified crackdown on schools operating without Approval to Operate (ATO) across the state. He noted that the exercise was part of the state’s  ongoing efforts to sanitise the education sector, enforce compliance with established regulations, and ensure acceptable standards for teaching and learning. The commissioner further explained that the exercise was aimed at protecting learners and ensuring that schools operated in safe, conducive and properly regulated environments. Odey stressed that the government would not compromise the standards required for operating educational institutions in the state. The commissioner explained that the exercise was not intended to witch-hunt school proprietors, but rather, ensure that all schools met the prescribed minimal requirements for establishing and managing educational institutions. He urged proprietors of unapproved schools to regularise their operations by obtaining the necessary approval, warning that any school sealed by the government and reopened without authorisation would face appropriate sanctions. According to him, the enforcement exercise will continue across the state’s 18 LG

Reporting from Vanguard news wire services. Full analysis by The Abuja Times editorial desk.