By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR
The Cross River State Government has sealed nine schools in Calabar Municipality for operating without the required Approval to Operate (ATO), extending its clampdown on unregistered institutions.
The Quality Assurance Department of the Ministry of Education carried out the exercise.
It follows the closure of about 24 schools in Calabar South and reflects the government’s drive to ensure that schools across the state meet approved regulatory and operational standards.
The government said the exercise was aimed at protecting the quality of education and ensuring that learners are taught in safe, conducive and suitable environments.
It also seeks to bring school proprietors into compliance with the requirements for operating educational institutions in the state.
Speaking on the enforcement, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, said the government would not compromise the standards required for schools to operate legally in Cross River.
Odey explained that the inspections were designed to identify schools operating outside the approved regulatory framework and compel proprietors to obtain the necessary approvals and meet prescribed standards.
He warned proprietors of the sealed schools against reopening without government authorisation, stressing that any attempt to violate the directive would attract appropriate sanctions.
The commissioner said the regulatory checks would continue across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He noted that schools found operating without approval would be given the opportunity to regularise their operations in line with established requirements.
The Ministry of Education urged proprietors across the state to obtain the necessary approval and maintain continuous compliance with the prescribed standards.
The government said the exercise would continue as part of efforts to strengthen regulation of the education sector, protect learners and uphold the integrity and quality of education in Cross River State.
The post C’River shuts 9 more schools over lack of operating approval appeared first on Vanguard News.