The Delta State Government has banned the Association of Unregistered Private Schools, declaring it illegal and pledging a total reform of the education sector.
The Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, announced the decision on Wednesday when owners of recently sealed private schools visited his office in Asaba to plead for reconsideration.
Dr. Ashibogwu explained that the existence of an association for unregistered schools was against the directive of the state government, which requires all private schools to be properly registered before operating.
“It came to me as a surprise that an association exists for unregistered schools in the state,” he said. “Though freedom of association is guaranteed by the constitution, I hereby proscribe this association because its formation contradicts government’s directive on school registration.”
The commissioner stressed that the closure of some private schools was not targeted at anyone but part of efforts to sanitize and overhaul education in Delta State. He added that problems such as extravagant graduation parties, the yearly changing of textbooks, and failure of some schools to follow the approved curriculum and academic calendar would also be addressed in due course.
When the school owners asked for more time to comply with the government’s registration process, Ashibogwu insisted that the decision would not be reversed.
“We are not going back on our decision. Your schools remain sealed until you follow all the necessary steps required to get your operational licenses,” he said.
Six Illegal Schools Sealed in Okpanam
The Guardian Newspaper recently reported that the Delta State Government shut down six unapproved primary schools in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, for failing to comply with registration requirements.
The enforcement exercise was carried out on Monday during a monitoring visit by a team from the Ministry of Primary Education led by Dr. Ashibogwu. The affected schools include Splendour Care Nursery and Primary School, Immortal Dominion Academy, Glorious Height Nursery and Primary School, Magnified Mercy Nursery and Primary, CossyJully Academy, and Ducams Schools.
According to the commissioner, the institutions were found to be operating without government approval and offering unauthorized educational programmes.
“The ministry has sent warnings on several occasions to all unregistered primary schools across the state to do the needful. This decision is not meant to witch-hunt anybody, but for the academic well-being of our dear children,” Dr. Ashibogwu said.
He added that the closures would remain in place until the affected schools obtain proper approval from the Ministry of Primary Education.
The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the quality of education in Delta State and urged school proprietors to comply with all regulatory guidelines to avoid future sanctions.
Officials explained that the clampdown is part of a statewide campaign to sanitize the education sector and ensure that only properly licensed schools are allowed to operate.
