The Cross River State Government has sealed 36 additional schools across six local government areas as its ongoing sanitation of the education sector intensifies, reaffirming its determination to eliminate unapproved institutions and enforce compliance with established operational standards.
The latest exercise, conducted by the Quality Assurance Department of the Ministry of Education, affected schools in Calabar Municipality, Obubra, Etung, Yakurr, Ikom and Boki Local Government Areas, extending the government’s regulatory drive to more parts of the state.
Commissioner for Education, Senstore (Prof.) Stephen Odey, warned that all affected schools must remain closed until they obtain the Authority to Operate (ATO) from the ministry, stressing that the ongoing exercise would continue to ensure compliance across the sector.
“All affected schools must remain closed until they obtain the Authority to Operate from the Ministry of Education. No school will be allowed to resume academic activities without the requisite approval,” Odey said.
He maintained that the government would not tolerate the operation of unapproved schools, emphasising that adherence to regulatory requirements was essential to protecting pupils and students and ensuring quality education.
“We will not compromise on the standards governing the operation of schools in Cross River State. Every institution must fulfil the necessary requirements and obtain the appropriate authorisation before operating,” the commissioner warned.
In Calabar Municipality, 11 schools were sealed: Resolute Child Secondary School and Resolute Child Nursery and Primary School, both at No. 19B Spring Road, Essien Town; Marpio Global Secondary School, No. 102 M/M Highway; Stars Academy and Excellent God Academy Secondary School, both at Black Gate, Ikot Eneobong, Basin Authority, 8 Miles.
Others were Rhema Reading Schools, No. 33 Obori Drive, Ikot Abasi Obori; Unique Achievers Bright Stars, No. 9 Ikot Anwatim, off Ikot Ansa; Redeemer Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, off Old Odukpani Road, Ikot Ansa; Mummy White Kiddies Academy, No. 11 Ikot Anwatim II; Mount Zion Mission Nursery and Primary School, Itak Ekim, 8 Miles; and Excellent God Academy Nursery and Primary School, Black Gate, Ikot Eneobong, Basin Authority, 8 Miles.
In Obubra, the affected schools were Adicol Divine College, Iyamoyong; Unique Ambassadors Nursery and Primary School, Ochon; Peterson Nursery and Primary School, Ohana; New Heritage Baptist Academy, Ofatura; and Christian Nursery and Primary School, Ochon. Etung recorded two affected institutions: PCN Secondary School, Benghe Ekiem, and Express Gateway Secondary School, Last-Motor.
Nine schools were sealed in Yakurr: God’s First International Schools Academy, Koms Brilliant International Nursery and Primary School, and PCN Model Nursery and Primary School, all in Nko; New Spring International School, Mkpani; Grace Divine Foundation School, Tekowa PCN Academy School, and Glorious Foundation Academy School, all in Agoi Ekpo; Redeemed Noble Seminary, Agoi; and Heritage Grammar School, Agoi Ibami.
In Ikom, seven schools were affected: Good News Model Academy and Bright Tomorrow Academy, both on Sweet Mother Street; Green Global Nursery and Primary School, Ikom; Divine Kids Academy Secondary School, Atimaka; Divine Kids Model Academy and Divine Secondary School, Balep; and Glorious Vision Academy, Nkim. In Boki, the affected institutions were Precious International Nursery, Primary and Secondary School and Green Hills Academy, both in Oku-Bushuyu.
Odey reaffirmed that the sanitation exercise would continue as the ministry intensifies its oversight of educational institutions across the state. He urged schools to obtain the necessary authorisation and comply with approved operational standards, stressing that the affected institutions must secure their ATO before reopening.
By Patricia Ogbeche
