Government shuts down unapproved schools as June 15 deadline expires

The Rivers State government has set today as the final deadline for proprietors of unapproved private schools to regularise their operations. Authorities warned that enforcement actions are now underway across the state to ensure the sector adheres to regulatory standards.

The directive was formalised through a public interest announcement signed by Peters Nwagor, the Commissioner for Education, and disseminated by Tochi Pepple, the Head of Information and Public Relations. This initiative is designed to bolster quality assurance and guarantee full compliance with state educational mandates.

Compliance and regulatory enforcement

“Private schools operating without registration or official approval from the Ministry, as well as those failing to meet required academic and infrastructural standards, will be shut down in line with the provisions of the state’s private schools’ law and other applicable regulations,” the statement clarified.

Commissioner Nwagor emphasised that the enforcement is essential to ensure that children in Rivers State receive quality education in safe, conducive learning environments. Furthermore, he mandated that all approved private schools with outstanding annual renewal fees must settle their arrears immediately. Only institutions with valid approval certificates and up-to-date payment records will be permitted to continue operations.

Government commitment to educational standards

The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing strict standards within the education sector. Nwagor noted that this measure is intended to safeguard the welfare of learners while promoting better administrative practices among private schools across the state.

School owners seeking clarification have been directed to visit the State Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) office at Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt. Alternatively, they may contact Chinedu Wordu, the Director of SEQAS. The Ministry of Education maintained that this exercise is part of a broader effort to improve education quality and ensure rigorous adherence to established operational standards statewide.