ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Enugu State Government has directed the immediate closure of all private schools at basic and post-basic levels in the state without the written approval of the state’s ministry of education.
According to the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, the directive was on the heels of incessant springing up of substandard private schools in the State without registration or obtaining approval of the ministry as stipulated by the law.
Eze stated that the ugly development is a source of serious concern to the government and to all stakeholders in the education sector in the state.
He stressed that “without such registration and approval, the government cannot guarantee or assure the state of infrastructure or the quality of teaching and learning offered in such schools.”
The commissioner advised all the affected schools to abide strictly by the directive in their own interest.
He said, “The state government shall, two weeks from the date of this announcement, embark on forcible closure of any defaulting school, prosecute and punish any person or group of persons still flouting the directive.”
Eze noted that the directive was in accordance to the powers conferred by the Education Law of Enugu State and in its determination to secure the right of all children in the state to good and quality education.
The commissioner also, urged the proprietors and promoters of private schools “to note that it is a criminal offence punishable upon conviction with imprisonment or fine or both for any person to establish, open, or publish any advertisement in connection with any private school in the state without the written approval of the state’s ministry of education or run, manage or teach in any of such unapproved school or institution.”
He therefore urged the general public to take note of the illegal operation of private schools in Enugu State and be guided accordingly.