Cross River Education Commissioner, Senator Stephen Odey, has given reasons why the State Ministry of Education under his watch shut down three schools in Yakurr and Obubra local government areas of the state saying the operators of the schools failed to meet up with the standard set up by the ministry.
He said that the schools were shut down because they failed to meet the operational guidelines set up by the quality assurance unit in the ministry and because they operated in an unconducive environment that was not healthy for children to learn.
Schools shut down by the ministry in Yakurr local government area include Glorious Vision Academy, Ijiman Ugep, founded by Pastor Gabriel Okoi Oje and Dynamic Premiere Academy Ugep, owned by Mr Wofai Ubi Omini.
The third school closed down by the commissioner and his team is Wealth Academy Nursery/Primary School Apiapum, in Obubra local government area of the state owned by Mr Emmanuel Okorn.
The school closures followed the arrival of the Education Commissioner, Senator (Dr) Stephen Odey and his team during an unannounced visit to the three private schools.
The commissioner who described the schools as not only illegal but sub-standard for failing to meet up with the operational guidelines set up by the quality assurance unit of the state ministry of education.
“How can one operate a school in an unconducive atmosphere and claim to be running a school? You cannot confine pupils in an unconducive environment.
“The children were kept in an unconducive and unhealthy learning environment without the Ministry’s approval, and my team and I decided to shut down the schools.
“Operating a school in the state must be in compliance with the ministry’s policies,” Odey maintained.
The commissioner also frowned at the number of unqualified teachers found in both schools.
“For now, the schools that we have found wanting have been shut down indefinitely. We will do same to any other school(s) that fail(s) to meet up with the ministry ‘s operational guidelines,” Odey warned.
