The Akwa Ibom State government has frowned at the practice of private school owners who, after meeting all conditions and securing approval to operate, turn around to violate the established guidelines.
The State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, made the call when he paid unscheduled visits to Beloved Child of God International Schools, Ikot Akpan Ediene Ikot Obio Imo, Off Idoro Road and Houston International School, Nung Mkpe Obio Offot both in Uyo Local Government Area of the state.
He has therefore issued a stern warning to such proprietors, urging them to refrain from setting up facilities that only temporarily meet the requirements to open a school, only to compromise standards later.
He said that the state will not tolerate any deviation from approved norms and will take necessary action against defaulters to safeguard the quality of education.
At the schools visited he frowned at the general working condition which he also said were below the expectation. He advised the management to appear at the Ministry’s headquarters for a review of their Authority To Operate or risk closure.
Professor Umoh said that henceforth out the Ministry will carry out regular inspection and monitoring visits and that it will no longer be business as usual.
The owners of the said schools were absent as of the time of the visit, but had staff, students and pupils in the schools’ premises.
