Enugu State Government Shuts Down Schools for Substandard Conditions and Illegal Operations
The Enugu State Government has closed multiple schools in the state capital due to concerns over substandard conditions and illegal operations.
Education Commissioner Prof. Ndubueze Mbah announced the closures on Saturday, September 28, during a government-led initiative aimed at enhancing educational quality throughout the state.
Mbah explained that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to eliminate poor educational standards and address skill deficiencies among students.
The schools affected by the closures include Evangel School, Ivory Education Centre on Owerri Road, and Eastview Nursery and Primary School at Railway Quarters, Njemanze. Other institutions shut down are St. Michael Nursery and Primary School, St. Bartholomew Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, and Olive Grove Nursery and Primary Academy.
These closures follow a previous directive requiring all educational institutions at the basic and secondary levels to comply with regulations mandating registration and approval from the Ministry of Education.
Prof. Mbah expressed concern over the conditions of some schools, highlighting unsafe environments with open roofs, collapsed rafters, and severely cracked walls that endanger the lives of numerous students. He emphasized that many of these schools were operating in direct violation of state guidelines for establishing and managing educational institutions.
"The state government remains committed to elevating educational standards," Mbah stated, underscoring the administration's focus on ensuring qualified teachers, strict adherence to the curriculum, and a safe learning environment.
He denounced the rise of illegal schools throughout the state, noting that they often employ unqualified teachers and operate with inadequate infrastructure, putting students at risk while exploiting parents without delivering quality education