By Chinaza Osigwe
The Anambra State Government has issued a firm ultimatum to proprietors of private schools operating without official approval, mandating them to regularize their status by September 2025 or face immediate closure.
The directive was given by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during a stakeholders’ meeting with private school owners held in Awka on Thursday. She expressed concern over the continued operation of unaccredited schools, despite repeated warnings and an extended grace period granted by the state government.
“There are still many private schools in the state that have yet to be approved. The time given by the governor to shut down such schools has expired,” she said. “This meeting is to understand the reasons for the delay. But if by the beginning of the first term these schools are not approved, we will shut them down as required by law.”
The commissioner revealed that although she had sought and received approval from Governor Chukwuma Soludo to delay enforcement, many proprietors continued to stall the process, prompting the need for stricter action.
During the meeting, some school owners voiced concerns about individuals impersonating government officials and attempting to extort money from them. Prof. Chuma-Udeh assured stakeholders that the ministry would investigate such reports and take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, disclosed that over 2,000 unapproved private schools are currently operating across the state’s 21 local government areas. He stressed that the situation was unacceptable, particularly given Governor Soludo’s emphasis on quality education and academic excellence.
“Running a school without accreditation means it fails to meet the standards set by the Ministry of Education,” Nwosu said.
To enhance transparency and ensure compliance, the state government has ordered the distribution of a list of approved schools to education departments in each local government area through Transition Committee Chairmen.
This latest move follows previous enforcement actions, including the closure of the unaccredited Upcoming Star International School in Awka in August 2024, after a bullying incident exposed its illegal operations.
The state government reiterated its commitment to sanitizing the education sector and ensuring that every child in Anambra receives quality and regulated education.
