Harvest of Arrests in Ebonyi Over Illegal Schools

-FULL COVERAGE-

Crackdown on Illegal Schools: Ebonyi State Arrests 88 Proprietors and Teachers

In a sweeping move to restore educational standards, the Ebonyi State Government has arrested 88 school proprietors and teachers for operating illegal and unapproved schools across the state.

This decisive action follows a comprehensive inspection exercise led by the Ministry of Education, which uncovered numerous institutions lacking proper accreditation, qualified staff, and standard learning facilities.

The Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Dr. Donatus Illang, announced the arrests during a press briefing in Abakaliki. He emphasized that the crackdown was essential to safeguard the future of children in Ebonyi, declaring that the government would not compromise on the quality of education. According to Dr. Illang, many of the schools in question failed to meet the minimum requirements for learning, posing a significant threat to the integrity of the state's education system.

The inspection revealed that these schools operated without government approval, lacked certified teachers, and did not follow the prescribed curriculum.

Consequently, the state ordered their immediate closure and launched investigations into the activities of those arrested. Legal proceedings are expected to follow, with the government warning that further violations will attract similar punitive measures.

Mrs. Mary Otozi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, reinforced the government's stance, stating that future arrests would be inevitable if proprietors continued to flout regulations. She urged individuals intending to establish schools to adhere strictly to the new education policy and regulatory guidelines.

The senior special assistant to the Governor on Secondary Education, Hon. Peter Nwogbaga, also appealed to parents and guardians to enroll their children only in public or approved private schools, highlighting the administration’s substantial investment in the sector.

To support compliant institutions, the government has rolled out initiatives such as teacher training programs and infrastructure development assistance.

These measures aim to help schools meet the required standards and ensure that every child in Ebonyi has access to quality education in a safe and regulated environment.

The arrests were carried out by a dedicated task force working in collaboration with security agencies. This team has been mandated to identify, shut down, and prosecute operators of substandard schools across all 13 local government areas of the state.

The government has also called on communities to report any suspected illegal learning centers, reinforcing its commitment to eradicating educational malpractice and promoting excellence.