FCT To Shut Down Schools Over Violation Of Guidelines

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vowed to close down any school in the territory that fails to meet the required minimum standard of the Nigerian educational curriculum and ensure quality teaching and learning.

The administration also warned private schools that operate with expired accreditation certificates and prevent officials of the administration from accessing their schools for routine inspection to desist from such acts or face the full wrath of the law.

The acting director of  Quality Assurance Department of the Education Secretariat in the FCT, Mrs. Magdalene Uzoanya, gave the warning at a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) FCT chapter in Abuja.

Uzoanya said there are various stages, procedures and approvals for the establishment of schools, adding that all statutory laws and other regulations about the management of schools in the FCT must be fully complied with.

She warned that any unregistered and illegal school would be closed, adding that no substandard school would be allowed to exist in the FCT.

She decried the non-compliance with guidelines and non-payment of the approved annual accreditation fees by some private school owners, describing such act as against the laid down rules.

Uzoanya who said the department would not issue recognition and accreditation certificates to any school found wanting in this regard, advised proprietors to pay the approved fees due to the administration.

She assured that the department would not compromise on its mandate of monitoring and inspecting schools to ensure total compliance with the minimum standards while registering and accrediting both private and public schools.

Also speaking at the meeting, the deputy director and chairman, Revenue Taskforce,  Malam Mudi  Mohammed, said the schools should brace up and pay their fees.

He noted that it is no longer business as usual because the task force would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that schools operating in FCT comply strictly with the guidelines especially prompt payment of annual accreditation fees.

Mohammed said the available record showed that many schools are indebted to the FCTA and his team is ready to recover the debts.