The Cross River State Government has closed down 36 unapproved primary and secondary schools operating without registration or official authorization across three local government areas of the state.
Confirming the development on Tuesday in Calabar, the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Stephen Odey, described the situation as “deeply unfortunate,” noting that the government would not tolerate individuals exploiting unsuspecting parents through illegal school operations.
According to Odey, the closures were carried out by the state’s task force on illegal schools, inaugurated earlier in October, to restore order and ensure adherence to educational standards.
“We have begun full-scale enforcement across the three educational zones in Calabar, Ikom, and Ogoja to sanitise the system and ensure that only schools meeting the required standards are allowed to operate,” the commissioner said.
He disclosed that out of the affected schools, 16 were located in Calabar, 10 in Ikom, and another 10 in Ogoja, all found to be running without the necessary government approval.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining quality education, Odey warned that the enforcement exercise would be expanded to cover all 18 local government areas of the state.
“This exercise will continue until every illegal school is either regularised or shut down. We are determined to protect the integrity of education in Cross River State,” he added.
The commissioner further advised parents and guardians to confirm the accreditation status of schools before enrolling their children, stressing that only duly registered institutions would be permitted to operate going forward.
He assured that the government’s ongoing efforts aim to strengthen the education system, promote quality learning environments, and safeguard students from unqualified and unregulated institutions.
