Chinedum Treasure
Anambra state government has charged owners of private schools in the state without approval to secure such approvals of such schools before September or risk their shutdown.
Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh gave the warning on Wednesday at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center during stakeholders’ meeting of proprietors of private schools in the state.
She wondered why owners of concerned schools had refused to secure their approvals despite series of warnings and extension grace period, saying further delay would no longer be tolerated.
She said, “There are still many of the schools in the state that are yet to be approved. The time given by the governor to shut down such schools has expired.
“Even though I took permission from Governor to extend the time and has been holding back the task force from carrying out their tasks the owners of the schools are still delaying.
“We called today’s meeting to know the reason for the delay. But if by the beginning of third term, those schools are yet to be approved, we will close them. That’s what the law stipulates and we’ve given enough grace.
“We’re also here because of letters of complaint from some proprietors over incessant terrorizing of their schools by charlatans who go about masquerading as government staff to extort money from these schools.
“We will not tolerate the barging of these armed persons into the schools demanding for money for various issues. We’ll find solutions and come up with resolutions which we’ll communicate to community leaders.
“As for me a Commissioner, I won’t extort anyone, neither will I allow anyone to extort. Besides, we’re privileged to have a governor who is not only education friendly, but super educationist who has made education so easy.
“We want you to be aware of your right so that nobody can intimidate you. Our schools must be devoid of any form of violence as that will can easily get into the pupils psyche.
The commissioner who also frowned over late arrival of participants to the meeting, warned that such attitude portrayed teaching profession in a bad light.
“We’re models to our children and they look up to us. We must take the issue of time seriously. This meeting is slated for 10am. But see when many of us are coming.
“Yes, some of us may have genuine reasons for coming later. But we’ll no longer tolerate lateness. Defaulters will be sanctioned,” she warned.
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