We will shut down all illegal private schools, Rivers State government declares
The government of Rivers State, under the administration of Barrister Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, has vowed that all illegal private schools operating in the state would be shut down by the government.
Announcing this at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, during a meeting with proprietors of private secondary schools, Governor Wike said that the actions of his administration were aimed at improving the quality of education in the state.
The governor also declared that majority of principals of public secondary schools in the state would be suspended for charging illegal levies which placed unnecessary burden on parents.
He announced the setting up of a committee to undertake the comprehensive audit of all private schools in the state for the purpose of ascertaining the quality of teachers in such schools, the nature of their environment and their operational capacity.
He said: “This audit committee will work with stakeholders. All schools that are not approved would be shut down immediately. We cannot continue to have illegal schools in the state. “
Governor Wike informed that henceforth no private school would have permanent approval, pointing out that all the private schools would have temporary approvals, subject to periodic reviews.
Speaking on payment of levies, Governor Wike said that his administration has commenced the process of harmonising all rates to eliminate multiple taxation and directed the Education Commissioner to sanction major private schools that failed to attend the meeting. He said that going forward the meeting would be held quarterly.
He added that the Rivers State Government would continue to support private schools through the provision of basic amenities, urging them to reciprocate by reducing the fees that they charged parents
Speaking at the ocassion, Dr. Mrs. Okechukwu Owhondah of Haruk Group of Schools commended Governor Wike for taking steps to improve the quality of education in the state.
Also speaking was Dame Dr. Victoria Awuse of Butterstone Group of Schools who warned against unwholesome and unethical practices by private school owners. She appealed to the state government to check the excesses of the private school owners.
Professor Kaniye Ebeku, the state Commissioner for Education, assured that the Ministry would always work towards the improvement of education in the state.
