The Anambra State Government has announced a sweeping crackdown on unapproved schools, declaring that any educational institution operating without official authorization will be shut down by September 2025.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, made the announcement during a press briefing in Awka on Wednesday, emphasizing that the move is aimed at safeguarding educational standards and protecting students from substandard learning environments.
“We will no longer tolerate the proliferation of illegal schools in Anambra. By September, any school that is not registered and approved by the government will be shut down—no exceptions,” Chuma-Udeh stated firmly.
Audit and Monitoring Intensify
The directive comes as part of a broader effort by the state to sanitize the education sector. A task force has been mobilized to identify and inspect schools across all 21 local government areas, with a focus on compliance with curriculum standards, teacher qualifications, and infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Education, over 300 unapproved schools have already been identified during preliminary assessments.
Parents and Proprietors Warned
Chuma-Udeh urged parents to verify the accreditation status of schools before enrolling their children, warning that pupils in illegal institutions risk being disqualified from future public examinations.
“We are not only enforcing compliance; we are protecting the future of our children,” she added.
Proprietors of unapproved schools have been given until August 31st to regularize their operations by undergoing the state’s registration and approval process.
Mixed Reactions
While many education stakeholders have welcomed the move, calling it overdue, some school operators have expressed concern over what they described as a “tight deadline” and “lack of support for small private educators.”
However, the state government insists that the policy is not punitive but rather a necessary step to improve quality assurance in the education sector.
source: gazettengr.com
