Ebonyi Govt. Closes 328 Private Schools

The Ebonyi Government on Thursday announced the closure of 328 private schools identified as illegal and substandard in the state.

Mr. Chike Onwe, the Commissioner for Information and  Orientation, made this known at a press briefing  in Abakaliki shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.

According to him, 28 nursery and primary schools and 25 secondary schools are very bad and are to be closed down.

“Also to be closed down are 177 nursery and primary schools and 98 secondary schools that are not originally approved by the state government,” Onwe said.

He said that the government’s action was in line with its resolve to ensure quality education for the Ebonyi children.

The commissioner said that the council had also directed the Commissioner for Education to give a six-month ultimatum to some bad schools considered to have the capacity for improvement.

“Such schools should either formalise their existence or improve on their services or risk closure at the expiration of the deadline.

“They include 92 nursery schools and 52 secondary schools. Sequel to this, students in the affected schools and their parents are advised to look for alternative places for enrolment.

“The criteria used to ascertain the bad schools include lack of adequate classrooms, unqualified teachers, recreation facilities and modern technology among others.

“The measures are by no means to discourage private sector participation in developing the educational sector.”

The commissioner urged any individual or group wishing to establish schools in the state to do so in line with set standards.

Meanwhile, the Executive Council has directed the Ministry of Environment to commence the process of providing alternative location for vulcanizers and other roadside artisans in the state.

Onwe said the measure was as a necessary step in the process of improving the aesthetics of the state capital, adding that all roadside vulcanizers and other artisans would be relocated  from January 2012.

“Further to that, Council has considered and approved the renovation of 13 general hospitals in the state to make them functional and conducive for health care delivery.”

The commissioner stated that his counterpart in charge of health had been mandated to articulate the requirement for the award of the contract.