The Imo State Government has revoked approvals and licenses of schools operating in unauthorised residential areas in line with its plans to reorganise and improve the education sector across the state..
Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, Imo State Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, issued the directive with special focus on private schools running in apartments and housing estates not designated for educational purposes.
In a statement released Monday by the state Ministry of Education, Professor Ikegwuoha revealed that monitoring and inspection teams from the Universal Basic Education and Quality Assurance departments of the ministry will in the coming days, commence enforcement visits across the state.
The enforcement has drawn mixed reactions from education stakeholders as well as private school owners, with calls for clearer zoning guidelines and more institutional support for private school operators affected by the directive.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has by this notification revoked and withdrawn the approval and licenses of private schools that are presently housed and operating in apartments in Imo State,” the statement read.
Professor Ikegwuoha urged parents and guardians to withdraw their children and wards from affected institutions and register them in public or duly approved private schools. He warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in government-sanctioned redistribution of students to nearby approved schools.
“Proprietors of private schools in Imo State should note that failure to comply with the conditions outlined in this notice will result in punitive sanctions, including but not limited to immediate distribution of their pupils and students to nearby schools,” he said.
