In a bid to ensure unhindered access to quality education of any Abia child, the Ministry of Education has directed pupils/students whose schools were sealed to move to nearby Government Schools free of charge, pending when their schools are able to upgrade to government standard of operation.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme-Uche who gave the directive during a three day meeting with Proprietors of private schools whose schools were sealed across the state, reiterated the ministry's readiness to withdraw the licence of those who continue to operate their schools against government directives.

Prof. Uche-Eme while frowning at the proliferation and citing of schools in church halls, over crowded spaces and unconducive environments without considering the health hazards it poses on the lives of learners, maintained that the state government will no longer tolerate the continued existence of such sub-standard schools.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to advise private school owners to employ teachers with a minimum qualification of NCE, whose emoluments will be nothing short of the national minimum wage to ensure enhanced productivity and welfare of the teacher's.

She thanked the proprietors for honoring the Ministry's invitation, pointing out that the government of Dr. Alex Otti in the state is not out to witch-hunt any private school owner but to encourage them to do the right thing.

According to her, the approval of operation for those who refused to honor the invitation but went ahead to reopen their schools against government directives have been withdrawn while a minimum grace period of six months was given to some offenders to upgrade their schools.

About 302 schools sealed, only 47 schools honoured the invitation.

Amaechi, Chibuzo

Ministry of Education