By Uko Okon
The Akwa Ibom State Government has directed the immediate closure of unregistered and illegal schools operating across the state’s 31 local government areas.
The move, according to the government, is aimed at upholding the integrity and standards of the basic education system.
It was gathered that over 1,140 illegal nursery, primary, and secondary schools may be shut down for failing to meet required standards.
State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, who gave the directive in Uyo, expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal schools, stating that they compromise the integrity, standards, and credibility of the basic education system.
Umoh condemned the disregard for established criteria by school proprietors, describing it as counterproductive to the solid educational foundation Governor Umo Eno is working to build under the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration.
He ordered the immediate closure of such schools and warned the task force team, led by the Director of State Education in charge of Quality Assurance Service (QAS), Mrs. Esther Ekotumoh, against any form of compromise during enforcement.
The enforcement team has reportedly begun the clampdown, starting with the closure of Gospel Elementary School (GES) located in Ikot Osukpong, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
Ekotumoh stated that the action is in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which emphasizes that every child in Akwa Ibom deserves access to quality education in a safe and conducive learning environment. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining standards across all schools in the state.
She noted that the closure of the school followed findings that it was operating without approval and had violated several regulatory directives. Despite earlier warnings and a previous seal-off, the school reportedly continued unauthorized operations in a makeshift structure—a village town hall—without basic infrastructure or the required Authority to Operate Permit (AOP).
The Ministry urged parents and guardians to withdraw their children from illegal and substandard schools and enroll them in properly accredited institutions to protect their future and educational development.
