Charles Nwankwo, Abakaliki
Ebony State Ministry of Education has closed and sealed four schools operating illegally in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Following the directives of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to sanitize education system in Ebonyi State, the Commissioner for Education Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi constituted a highly powered committee on the closure of illegal and substandard schools operating in Ebonyi State.
The committee led by the Senior Special Assistance to the Governor on Education Hon. Peter Nwogbaga led the committee to four schools in Onicha LGA where Ebonyi children are being packed together in form of teaching and Learning taking place.
Addressing the Proprietors of the respective illegal schools, the Senior Special Assistance to the Governor on Education Hon. Peter Nwogbaga frowned on what the team witnessed, describing it as an eyesore.
Hon. Nwogbaga said that government of Ebonyi State under the watch of the Rt. Hon Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru administration will not allow her children to be packed in a residential rooms, uncompleted building and church halls in the name of schools. The SSA therefore declared the following schools closed and sealed;
1. Power Nursary and Primary School Amaofuhu
2. Open Door Nursary and Primary School Amaofuhu
3. Anglican Nursary and Primary School Umubo
4. Prince of Life Nursary and Primary School Umubo.
Meanwhile, the Director Inspectorate and Quality Assurance Department in the Ministry of Education, Barr. Anthony Ngwuta warned the affected schools proprietors not to operate again to avoid arrest and prosecution, advising them to visit Ministry of Education to peruse on the guidelines and requirements for school establishment.
Speaking at the end of the event, the representative of Umubo Elite Forum Prince Felix who couldn’t hide his feelings said that Umubo Community is deeply impressed for responding to their need pertains Education in Umubo Community, adding that the Community Nursery and Primary School Umubo Onicha Igbeze which is public School has collapsed for unqualified school and self acclaimed teachers.
Proprietors in the schools declined interview from newsmen in the event
However, newsmen observed that operation of quackery and mushroom schools in rural areas would debase standard of education in the state which the present administration is engaged to surpass.
By Charles Nwankwo
PRO, Ministry of Education
