Ebonyi government cracks down on illegal schools, arrests 88 proprietors, teachers

The Ebonyi State government has intensified its fight against substandard education, arresting 88 proprietors and teachers for operating unapproved and illegal schools across the state.

The arrests followed a sweeping inspection exercise by the Ministry of Education, which uncovered several institutions running without proper accreditation.

Many of the schools were found to lack qualified teachers, standard facilities, and approved curricula, prompting authorities to order their immediate closure.

Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki on Thursday, the Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Dr Donatus Illang, said the crackdown was necessary to safeguard the future of children in the state.

“We cannot compromise the future of our children,” Illang declared. “These schools pose a grave danger to the education system because they fail to meet the minimum requirements for learning.”

The commissioner explained that those arrested are currently under investigation, with legal action expected to follow. He issued a stern warning to other proprietors still flouting government regulations, stressing that the state would not hesitate to take similar steps against them.

Illang also urged parents to verify the accreditation status of schools before enrolling their wards, while calling on communities to report any suspected illegal learning centres.

To support genuine institutions, the state government has introduced measures such as teacher training and infrastructure assistance to help schools achieve compliance standards.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment, the commissioner said every child in Ebonyi deserves access to quality education in a safe and well-regulated environment.