The Cross River State Commissioner of Education, Senator Stephen Odey, has provided reasons for the recent closure of three schools in the Yakurr and Obubra local government areas. The schools were shut down due to their failure to meet the standards and operational guidelines established by the ministry’s Quality Assurance Unit.
Odey emphasized that these schools were operating in environments that were not conducive to learning and were unhealthy for children.
The schools affected include Glorious Vision Academy in Yakurr, owned by Pastor Gabriel Okoi Oje, Dynamic Premiere Academy in Ugep, managed by Mr. Wofai Ubi Omini, and Wealth Academy Nursery/Primary School in Apiapum, Obubra, owned by Mr. Emmanuel Okon.
The decision to close these schools followed an unannounced visit by the Commissioner and his team. Speaking on the matter, Odey described the schools as both illegal and sub-standard.
“How can one operate a school in an unconducive atmosphere and claim to be running a school? You cannot confine pupils in such an environment. The children were kept in unhealthy learning conditions without the Ministry’s approval, so my team and I decided to shut down the schools,” Odey stated.
The Commissioner also expressed concerns about the presence of unqualified teachers in these schools.
“For now, the schools found to be lacking have been shut down indefinitely. We will do the same to any other school that fails to meet the ministry’s operational guidelines,” he added.
