Cross River Shuts Down 20 Schools Operating Illegally

By Ayodele Oni

Twenty privately- owned primary and secondary schools operating illegally in various parts of Cross River State have been shut down.

The state government explained that the affected schools were operating in four local government areas without the required approval, warning that any institution that violates the closure order will face sanctions.

The affected schools are located in Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Odukpani and Akamkpa Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, announced the enforcement exercise, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring that schools comply with established educational standards.

In a statement issued by the state Ministry of Information and Orientation on Saturday, Odey warned proprietors of the affected institutions against reopening their schools without official authorisation.

“The latest enforcement exercise, carried out by the Department of Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education, underscores the government’s determination to ensure that all schools operate within the law and provide children with properly authorised and monitored learning environments.”

The commissioner revealed that the exercise would be extended to all 18 local government areas of the state to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and safeguard the quality of education.

In Calabar Municipality, the affected schools are Impact Group of Schools, Gospel Beacon Academy and Divvy Bliss Schools.

In Calabar South, the government shut Warriors Seed Academy, Children of Promise Christian School, Future Amazing International Schools Limited, Glad Tidings Academy and Panorama International Schools.

Seven schools were affected in Odukpani: De-Royal Academy School, Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School, Success Kids Nursery/Primary School, Delightsome International School, Sparkling Academy, Goodness Academy and Joanleff Excellent Institute.

In Akamkpa, the affected institutions are Creative Brain International School, St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hot Brain Academy and Armour Christian International School.

The ministry urged school proprietors to obtain the necessary approvals before commencing operations, stressing that failure to comply with the regulations would attract appropriate sanctions.

It added that the government would sustain monitoring and enforcement activities across the state to ensure that all schools operate within the approved regulatory framework.