The Abia State government has ordered the closure and disbandment of seven secondary schools in the state.
They are Bethesda House International School, Aba; Lily Brains International School, Aba; Conquering Ground International School, Aba and Presbyterian Academy, Aba.
Others are Shade of Mercy International School; Fruitful Ground Christian School, Aba and His Mercies Christian Academy, Aba.
The state Commissioner for Basic Education, Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma announced the disbandment of the schools in a statement posted on his verified facebook page on Thursday.
Emma directed parents and guardians to immediately withdraw their children from the schools, warning that any proprietor who flouts the directive will be blacklisted in matters concerning education in the state.
The commissioner added that such a proprietor also stands the risk of being prosecuted.
He urged all to support the state government to get rid of illegal schools in the state.
Emma also advised all illegal schools in the state to kindly shut down and discontinue operations.
According to him, for a school to operate in the state, the proprietors must guarantee enabling environment for teaching and learning and the school certified to operate.
He regretted that some individuals were operating schools without obtaining requisite approvals from the Commissioner’s Office.
The commissioner however warned that approvals which are later compromised by subsequent lowering of standards shall be withdrawn.
He directed proprietors to display copies of approval instruments publicly and show original copies upon demand to officials of the ministry.
His statement reads; “Consequent upon our resolve to sanitize the education industry in Abia State as it concerns the establishment and running of schools, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Hon Ukwu Rocks Emma hereby directs all illegal schools in Abia State to shut down operations and close shop.
“Note that for a school to operate in this state, the proprietors must guarantee enabling environment for teaching and learning and the schools certified thus.
“We have observed with dismay, the irresponsibility of some individuals running schools without obtaining requisite APPROVAL (written, signed and sealed) from the Commissioner’s office.
“And henceforth, approvals obtained but later compromised by subsequent lowered standards shall automatically meet with withdrawal.
“All genuine proprietors are to display copies of approval instruments publicly and show original copies to our officers on demand. Every school should also as a matter of urgency cue into the Electronic Portal of the Ministry.
“This is for authentication and easy operations in this digital age. Time for half measures and amnesty is over! The clampdown is on.
“The public is hereby notified that the following schools have been closed and disbanded: (1) Bethesda House International school, 42 Owerri Road off Okigwe Road Aba (2) Lily brains International School , 57 Erondu st. Aba (3) Conquering Ground International School, 35 7up Road Ogbor-Hill Aba.(4) Presbyterian Academy, 35 Glass Industry Extension , 7up Area Ogbor-Hill, Aba (5) Shade of Mercy International School (6) Fruitful Ground Christian School, Aba (7) His Mercies Christian Academy, St Eugene road Aba.
“Parents and guardians are advised to immediately withdraw their children from these schools. Sabotaging this order (by the proprietors behind our back) will earn such persons long lasting blacklisting in matters educational in Abia State.
“They may also face prosecution. Please Support Abia State to get rid of this cankerworm called quack schools. Thank you for thinking Abia
