The Cross River State Government has set new compliance rules for private and mission schools ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session, directing proprietors to strictly adhere to approved education regulations or face sanctions.
The Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, issued the directives during a pre-resumption meeting with members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and mission schools in the State.
Odey stressed that private ownership did not exempt schools from government regulation, saying, “Private schools, though privately owned, remain subject to the regulation of the Ministry of Education.”
The Commissioner directed all private and mission schools to resume on Monday, September 14, 2026, and close in line with the approved academic calendar, warning against altering the official resumption and closing dates.
He also reaffirmed 2:00 p.m. as the approved closing time for all nursery, primary and secondary schools in the State, warning that schools that violate the directive would face sanctions, including withdrawal of approval and possible closure.
Odey further urged proprietors to sensitise parents against late registration, moderate school fees and comply with the “no lesson, no lesson fee” policy, stressing the need for schools to operate within established guidelines.
On student documentation, the Commissioner directed schools to ensure prompt registration and compliance with the Student Identification Number (SIN) policy, noting that the initiative would strengthen student documentation, accountability and planning while helping to curb fraudulent enrolment.
He disclosed that the Ministry was reviewing textbooks in line with the revised curriculum and warned schools against using unapproved textbooks. He said the Ministry had obtained approved revised curricula from the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), urging private and mission schools to obtain and implement them to ensure uniformity with public schools.
Odey also charged proprietors to train and retrain their teachers, stressing that “competent and well-trained teachers are essential to improving teaching and learning outcomes.”
He assured the stakeholders that the Ministry would continue to engage and support private and mission schools while intensifying monitoring and enforcement to improve education standards across Cross River State.
Responding, Chairman of NAPPS, Pastor Abraham Osok, commended the Commissioner for his leadership and reform initiatives, saying, “His clear communication and approach have made the reforms easier for stakeholders to understand and embrace.”
Similarly, the Education Executive Secretary of the Catholic Schools Board, Ogoja Diocese, Rev. Fr. Justin Udie, described Odey as “the right person to steer the Ministry at a time of significant reforms,” and reaffirmed the support of mission schools for the government’s efforts to improve education outcomes.
The stakeholders pledged continued cooperation with the Ministry of Education, expressing confidence that the new compliance measures and ongoing reforms would strengthen standards, promote accountability and improve the quality of education across Cross River State.
By Patricia Ogbeche
