88 School Proprietors, Teachers Arrested By Task Force Over Default On New Policy

Ebonyi State commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Dr. Donatus Illang ,has said over 88 proprietors and teachers have been arrested following the state government’s step up in the enforcement of the new education policy.

Ilang who made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the progress so far made in the implementation of the new policy stated that the arrests became necessary to ensure total compliance noting that the ministry had taken time to inform, educate and explain the new rules to all education stakeholders in the state.

He stated that those arrested were persons who were operating and running illegal and unapproved schools which has been closed and asked to stop operating.

Dr. Illang had warned proprietors against reopening or attempting to run illegal schools and said enforcement actions will continue until standards are restored.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Mary Otozi warned that further arrests would be carried out if the proprietors and teachers continued to operate illegally.

Mrs. Otozi urged anyone who intends to open a school in the state to act with integrity and to comply with the new regulations.

“We are determined to ensure qualitative education system in the state. We are not going to leave any stone unturned to ensure that our schools are of high standards. It is not a matter of who you know in government or the connections you have. It is not about how much you can bring, what we are doing is to ensure that our children gets the best. We can’t joke with their future.”

The senior special assistant to the Governor on Secondary Education, Hon Peter Nwogbaga, appealed to parents and guardians to enrol their children and wards in public or approved private schools.

He noted that the state governor Francis Nwifuru has invested so much in the education sector and urged proprietors to consult the ministry for guidance on meeting regulatory requirements.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the arrest was carried out by the task force who are working with the security operatives. The taskforce team is saddled with the responsibility of identifying, arresting and closing of all unapproved and substandard schools in the 13 local government areas of the state.