The Cross River State Government has extended its ongoing cleanup of the education sector to Calabar Municipality, where the Ministry of Education’s Quality Assurance Department has shut nine schools operating without the required Approval to Operate (ATO).
The latest enforcement follows the closure of about 24 schools in Calabar South and reflects the government’s continued drive to ensure that schools across the State meet approved regulatory and operational standards.
The exercise is aimed at protecting the quality of education and ensuring that learners are taught in safe, conducive and suitable environments, while bringing school proprietors into compliance with the requirements for operating educational institutions in the State.
Speaking on the enforcement, the Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, said the government would not compromise the standards required for schools to operate legally in Cross River.
Odey explained that the inspections were designed to identify schools operating outside the approved regulatory framework and compel proprietors to obtain the necessary approvals and meet prescribed standards.
He warned proprietors of schools sealed during the exercise against reopening their institutions without government authorisation, stressing that any attempt to violate the directive would attract appropriate sanctions.
The Commissioner said the regulatory checks would continue across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State, noting that schools found operating without the required approval would be given the opportunity to regularise their operations in line with established requirements.
The nine schools shut in Calabar Municipality are VON Secondary School, Presbyterian Road, off 9 Miles; Faith Unity Nursery/Primary School, Old Adiabo Road, behind Every Home Custard, Ikot Ekpo; Ma’on Academy, 143 Old Odukpani Road, Ikot Omin, 8 Miles; and Great Care International Nursery/Primary School, Ikot Ekpo Layout, off M.M. Highway.
Others are Richfield International Schools (Secondary), 2 Richfield Close, off Nassarawa, 8 Miles; Word of Faith Group of Schools (Secondary), 21 Victory Way, Satellite Town; Child of Destiny, Nyok Esu, Big Qua Town; FINB-ALLEN School, 7 Ikang Etta Avenue, off Akim Road; and Living Stars International Schools, 16 Atimbo Road.
The Ministry of Education has urged proprietors of schools across the State to obtain the necessary approval and maintain continuous compliance with the prescribed standards.
The government said the exercise would continue as part of efforts to strengthen regulation of the education sector, protect learners and uphold the integrity and quality of education in Cross River State.
By Patricia Ogbeche
