The Abia State government has shut down a private school – Emerald International School – located on Crystal Park Avenue, off Port Harcourt road in Aba South LGA.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Eme Uche, announced the closure of the institution and the withdrawal of its operating license.
He said the sealing of the educational facility followed the ministry’s findings, which, according to him, “showed that the said school was operating below the stipulated standards set for the operation of private schools in the State, a situation, which led to the unfortunate death of a pupil.”
The commissionr, therefore, advised parents and guardians whose children or wards are attending the school, to withdraw them without further delay.
“While the ministry regrets any inconvenience this may cause parents, it will continue to shoulder its responsibility of upholding the welfare and safety of Abia children as a top priority.
“Any illegal attempt by any individual or group to reopen the school will attract the full wrath of the government.
Please be properly guided,” he said.
Meanwhile, inspection and evaluation team from the Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, commenced inspections of private schools in the State, with the aim of ascertaining their conformity with accepted educational standards.
The police in the State confirmed that a 3-year-old pupil of the school, Master David Jacob Etim, fell down from the school storey-building and died about two weeks ago.