Cross River State Government has shut down 20 schools operating without official approval in four local government areas, warning proprietors against reopening the institutions without authorisation.
The latest enforcement exercise affected schools in Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Odukpani and Akamkpa, as the state intensifies efforts to check unapproved operators in the education sector.
The operation was conducted by the Department of Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education.
Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, said on Friday that schools affected by the closure must remain shut until they receive official authorisation to operate.
He warned that proprietors who violated the directive would face sanctions, stressing that the government would not allow unapproved institutions to operate unchecked at the expense of children’s education.
Odey said the exercise was aimed at protecting pupils, maintaining educational standards and ensuring that schools met the state’s regulatory requirements.
He added that the crackdown would be extended to all 18 local government areas of the state.
In Calabar Municipality, the affected schools are Impact Group of Schools at 112 Atamunu; Gospel Beacon Academy at 25 Etonko Street; and Divvy Bliss Schools at 71/73 Eta Agbor, opposite the MTN office.
Five schools were shut in Calabar South: Warriors Seed Academy, 8 Engo Street, off New Airport; Children of Promise Christian School, 4 Ekong Lane, off New Airport; Future Amazing International Schools Limited, 21 Amika Utuk, off Goldie; Glad Tidings Academy, 15 Ene Ita Street; and Panorama International Schools, 10 Jebs Layout.
In Odukpani, the affected institutions are De-Royal Academy School and Maria Assumpta Nursery/Primary School, both at Esine Ufot, Adiabo; Success Kids Nursery/Primary School, also at Esine Ufot, Adiabo; Delightsome International School, Akim-Akim; Sparkling Academy, Akim-Akim, Qua Clan; Goodness Academy, Ayuk Aba, Akim-Akim; and Joanleff Excellent Institute, Old Pamol Clinic, Akim-Akim Road.
Five schools were also closed in Akamkpa: Creative Brain International School, Abi Mfam Camp 2; St. Luck’s Anglican Nursery/Primary School, Ndingane; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aningeje; Hot Brain Academy, Abiati; and Armour Christian International School, Abiati Road.
The ministry urged school proprietors to obtain the necessary approvals before commencing operations, warning that non-compliance would attract enforcement action.
The state government said it would sustain monitoring across all 18 LGAs to eliminate illegal schools and protect the integrity of the education system.
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