Imo Shuts Unauthorized Schools, Revokes Licenses
In a move to ensure every child’s right to receive quality education in a safe and properly regulated environment, the Imo State Government has ordered the immediate closure and license withdrawal of certain schools operating illegally across the state.
The directive affects private schools located within residential apartments or Federal and Imo State Housing Estates not designated for educational use.
According to a statement released by Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, this action aligns with the government’s broader effort to sanitize and reform the education sector.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has, by this notification, revoked and withdrawn the approval and licenses of private schools that are presently housed and operating in apartments in Imo State,” the statement read.
Parents and guardians have been urged to withdraw their children and wards from the affected schools and re-enroll them in duly approved private or public institutions.
The government warned that non-compliance will result in strict penalties, including the redistribution of students to nearby authorized schools.
To enforce the directive, monitoring and inspection teams from the Universal Basic Education and Quality Assurance departments will begin visiting the affected areas.
While the policy aims to uphold educational standards, it has sparked conversations among stakeholders, many of whom are calling for clearer zoning guidelines and better institutional support for private school operators in the state.
