The Ebonyi State Government has sealed 283 illegal and substandard primary and secondary schools across the state within the last two years. The move is part of ongoing efforts to raise the quality of education and protect students from poor learning environments.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Paul Nwobasi, said the affected schools were found operating without government approval or failed to meet the required standards for learning institutions.
He described the presence of such schools as a major concern, warning operators to either regularise their institutions or shut down operations completely.
“The sealing of these schools is part of the government’s strategy to build a strong and quality education system for the people of Ebonyi,” Nwobasi said. “We urge proprietors of illegal schools to come to the Ministry of Education and get proper guidance on how to meet the required standards and obtain approval.”
According to him, the affected schools were spread across various local government areas and were identified through routine inspections and monitoring by education officials.
Nwobasi emphasised that the state would not compromise on the quality of education and urged parents to enroll their children only in schools that meet government-approved standards.
In addition to the crackdown on illegal schools, the commissioner announced that the state government had embarked on several building projects to improve infrastructure in public schools.
He revealed that 39 classroom blocks are currently under construction for secondary schools across the 13 local government areas of the state.
“We are also constructing 36 new buildings for primary schools — two in each LGA,” he added.
Nwobasi said these projects are part of the government’s larger vision to create a modern and conducive learning environment for pupils and students.
He also mentioned that 42 model school blocks with aesthetically designed classrooms will be completed soon, giving public schools in the state a facelift.
The commissioner called on school owners, community leaders, and parents to work together with the state government to ensure quality education in Ebonyi.
“Education is a shared responsibility. We are committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality education, but we need all hands on deck,” he said.
Ebonyi, like many Nigerian states, has faced challenges in regulating the proliferation of private schools, many of which spring up without proper facilities or trained teachers. The government’s recent actions signal a more serious push toward education reform and stronger regulation in the sector.
