The Ebonyi State Government has closed four schools operating in Onicha Local Government Area for operating with substandard facilities.
The schools were closed by a special committee set up by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Paul Nwobasi, at the instance of Governor Francis Nwifuru, to sanitize the education system.
The committee led by the Senior Special Assistance to the Governor on Education, Hon. Peter Nwogbaga, led members to the four schools in Onicha LGA where children were packed in unfit structures used as classrooms.
Addressing proprietors of the respective illegal schools, Nwogbaga frowned on what the team witnessed, describing it as an eyesore.
Nwogbaga warned that Governor Nwifuru’s administration will not allow Ebonyi State children to be packed in a residential rooms, uncompleted building and church halls in the name of schools.
The closed schools are Power Nursery and Primary School, Open Door Nursery and Primary School Amaofuhu, Anglican Nursery and Primary School Umubo and Prince of Life Nursery and Primary School, Umubo
The Director Inspectorate and Quality Assurance Department in the Ministry of Education, Anthony Ngwuta, warned the affected schools proprietors not to operate again to avoid arrest and prosecution.
He advised them to visit Ministry of Education to peruse the guidelines and requirements for school establishment.
Speaking at the end of the exercise, the representative of Umubo Elite Forum, Prince Felix, said that Umubo community is grateful to the government for responding to their education needs.
He noted that the Community Nursery and Primary School Umubo Onicha Igbeze, which is public school has collapsed because of the operations of the substandard school and self acclaimed teachers.
Proprietors of the schools declined interview from newsmen in the event