KEY POINTS

• Cross River illegal schools shutdown targets 36 unapproved institutions.
• Task force to extend enforcement across 18 local councils.
• Parents advised to confirm school accreditation before enrolment.

The Cross River State Government has sealed off 36 schools ranging from primary to secondary level operating without approval or registration across three local government areas.

Commissioner for Education, Professor Stephen Odey, confirmed the closure in Calabar on Tuesday, describing the development as “unfortunate” and warning that illegal operators were exploiting unsuspecting parents.

Task force enforces Cross River illegal schools shutdown

Odey explained that the action followed operations by the state’s task force on illegal schools, inaugurated earlier this month to monitor compliance.

He said the government has begun full-scale enforcement across the three educational zones in Calabar, Ikom, and Ogoja to clean up the system and ensure only schools that meet required standards operate.

The ministry’s report shows that officials shut down 16 schools in Calabar, 10 in Ikom, and another 10 in Ogoja for operating without state approval.

The government will regularize or shut down illegal schools

Reaffirming the government’s stance on quality education, Odey said only duly registered and accredited schools would be permitted to function. He urged parents to verify the approval status of any school before enrolling their children.

He added that the government would keep the exercise going until it regularises or shuts down every illegal school, vowing to protect the integrity of education in Cross River State.

The ministry said the Cross River illegal schools shutdown would extend to all 18 local government areas to ensure full compliance with education standards.