Imo State House of Assembly has commenced moves to shut down unapproved private primary and secondary schools in the state over what it described as inadequate curriculum, unqualified teachers and non-conducive learning environment.
The move followed a motion moved by the chairman of the House Committee on Education, who is also the member representing Ngor-Okpala Constituency, Obinna Egu. He enjoined his colleagues to lend their support to the motion to save the educational sector in the state from imminent collapse.
He observed that most of the private schools in the state do not meet with the standards or requirements established by relevant government academic bodies.
Egu said that due to the non-legal existence of some of the schools which excluded them from routine checks by academic authorities, they indulged in unwholesome practices that are at variance with the laid down academic learning process.
The Ngor-Okpala lawmaker noted that the state cannot afford to endanger the academic future of its citizens by allowing the existence of unapproved private schools, saying that education plays a vital role in the development and progress of any society.
He noted that the unwholesome practices have resulted in churning out ill-informed students who may later occupy important positions in the society.
He pointed out that according to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Imo State ranks as the most educated state in Nigeria with literacy rate of 96.48 per cent and as a result, cannot allow existence of private schools that are not approved by government to carry out further educational activities in order to forestall lowering the state’s academic status.
The house, after much deliberations on the motion, resolved to urge the governor to direct the Ministry of Education to shut down all unapproved private primary and secondary schools in the state with immediate effect.
