Ebonyi Govt Shuts Down Unapproved Schools

Ebonyi State Government has announced the immediate closure of all unapproved/unqualified faith-based and private schools in the 13 local government area of the state with immediate effect and directed parents to transfer their wards to government-approved schools.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Education, (Primary and Secondary), Dr. Donatus Ilang and made available to LEADERSHIP Friday said that the directive is in line with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs Agenda and the state government’s policy on educational reform to enhance the quality of education in the state.

Dr. Illang said that the state government also adopted a unified textbooks and maintained that all schools (Public approved and Private) shall use government-approved textbooks.

On the new admission requirements, he said that First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) will now be a basic requirement for admission of students into secondary schools in the state and henceforth must be presented before admission.

“Implementation of Transfer Certificate Policy: Students seeking transfer must present a transfer certificate from their former school before admission. Fail and Repeat Policy, the State Government has banned grading based on position, recognizing only first, second and third position while others will be graded pass or fail. Therefore, student who fail promotion exams must repeat the class.

“Graduation ceremonies are exclusively reserved for Pupils and Students who have successfully completed basic education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary (SS3). In view of the above, Pre-Basic (Kindergarten/Nursery) and Primary 6 are banned from holding graduation ceremonies forthwith.”

He said that the state government will henceforth implement the policy of textbooks reuse adding that “all Ebonyi State government-approve unified textbooks will remain in use for 4 years before reviewing therefore, writing text or assignment inside textbooks is strictly prohibited.

This is to enable younger siblings reuse them.

“Mandatory Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship: Ebonyi State government has introduced Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Subject, in the school system.

“Henceforth, Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisitions are compulsory in all our Schools. Therefore, students of Basic Education and Senior Secondary SS3, must receive their Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Certificates upon Graduation.

“Prohibition of Compulsory Lessons: Ebonyi State government has banned Compulsory Lessons for Students and Pupils in all our schools across the State with immediate effect, except a formal agreement is reached with Parents and Teachers or School Managers.”

Dr. Illang directed all principals and school administrators to comply strictly with these policies immediately.