Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh has directed the immediate closure of unregistered and illegal schools operating across the 31 local government areas of the state.
Professor Umoh frowned at the proliferation of illegal schools, noting that they compromise the integrity, standards and the fidelity of the basic education system.
The Commissioner said the wanton violations of the criteria for establishing basic schools by emergency proprietors was antithetical to the solid education system that Governor Umo Eno was trying to build in line with the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration.
Consequently, he directed the immediate closure of the schools, while warning the task force team led by the Director of State Education in charge of Quality Assurance Service (QAS), Mrs. Esther Ekotumoh, against compromise.
The enforcement team, our Correspondent learnt, has clamped down on many illegal schools, beginning with the shutting down of Gospel Elementary School (GES), located in Ikot Osukpong, in Ibiono Ibom local government area.
“This is in line with the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, which requires that every child in Akwa Ibom State deserves access to quality education in a safe and conducive learning environment among other premium policies geared towards the overall educational advancement.
“And the Ministry of Education remains committed to upholding standards in the operation of schools across the state,” Ekotumoh, assured.
She explained that the official closure of the school became necessary after it was discovered to be operating without due approval and in violation of multiple regulatory directives.
“Despite prior warnings and a previous seal-off, the school continued unauthorised operations in a makeshift facility (a village town hall), lacking basic teaching and learning infrastructures, and without the mandatory Authority to Operate Permit (AOP),” she recalled.
The Ministry, therefore, urged parents and guardians to “withdraw their children from illegal and substandard learning environments and enroll them in properly accredited schools, to safeguard their future and educational development.
