Students in scramble as Cross River shuts 69 unapproved schools

Cross River has shut down a total of 69 illegal and unapproved schools across the state in a two-day crackdown.

The state’s education ministry, in a statement, said the crackdown is part of a massive push to sanitise its education sector, the

Bassey Otu, the governor, approved the clampdown after consultation with the state’s executive council.

The closures focused on institutions operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate (ATO) certificate.

A task force, inaugurated by Stephen Odey, the education commissioner, sealed off 36 illegal schools on October 20.

An additional 33 were sealed on October 21, bringing the cumulative number of closed institutions to 69.

The enforcement exercise, which has left students in a scramble, targeted schools in three major educational zones.

The Calabar zone in Calabar South LGA had the highest number of closures, with at least 15 schools sealed.

The education ministry said the Ikom zone in Boki LGA had at least nine of its schools shut.

Ogoja educational zone in the Ogoja/Yala LGAs accounted for at least eight unapproved schools that were closed.

Odey said the exercise is corrective rather than punitive, aimed at ensuring all schools meet approved standards to provide quality learning environments.

He, however, issued a firm warning to proprietors of unapproved schools to immediately regularise their operations by obtaining the ATO or face permanent closure.

“Our goal is to protect children from substandard learning environments and uphold the integrity of our education system,” the commissioner said.

“Every school must meet the required standards before operating in Cross River State.”

The ministry confirmed it will continue the enforcement exercise across all educational zones until the state’s education sector is fully sanitised and aligned with national standards.