The Imo State Government has ordered the immediate shutdown and license revocation of all schools operating without approval across the state. The commissioner for primary and secondary education, Bernard Ikegwuoha, issued the directive, contained in a statement, on Monday.
Private schools operating in residential areas and apartment buildings in the state have also been ordered to shut down. According to the statement, the directive is given to sanitize the education sector in the state.
The state government, therefore, urged parents and guardians to register their children in duly approved private or public schools. Also, the statement warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract severe punishment.
One of the punishments includes the redistribution of affected students to nearby approved and duly registered schools. Bernard Ikegwuoha revealed that education and quality assurance teams will begin school inspections to enforce full compliance across the state.
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The directive has reportedly sparked different reactions from education stakeholders, calling for support and clarity for private education providers.
Imo community rejects self-proclaimed monarch
Umuokanne community members in Imo State have dissociated themselves from Christian Orie’s self-coronation as the community’s traditional ruler. After an emergency stakeholders meeting, the community pledged commitment to peace and respect for the current traditional ruler, Eze Unwokoma.
The community reaffirmed that no person or group can confer royal titles without following the legal framework for rulership in Imo State. In their statement, Christian Orie’s actions violate the authority of the traditional council, state government, and elders of the community.
They urged the public, government bodies, and security agencies to disregard any claims by Christian Orie as the traditional ruler.
