Owners of private nursery, primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State who are yet to formally register or have started the registration but stopped halfway, have been reminded of the need to complete such registration or get their schools closed down.
The commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet gave the reminder at the one-day Capacity Development Seminar held for members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Akwa Ibom State chapter in Uyo.
Represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs Esther W. Ekotumoh, the commissioner frowned at a situation where operators of private schools want to turn every available space in their compound into schools, urging them to shun such practices and acquire enough space for their business so that they can operate unmolested.
She also reminded them of the need to carry out their annual renewal without being cajoled by the relevant authorities.
Describing education as a key component of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration, the Commissioner charged the participants to maintain zero tolerance for examination malpractices, especially as the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate examination is to commence about three months from now.
The commissioner who had already started going around the thirty-one local government areas to ascertain compliance with government directives by owners of the private schools, called for the upgrade of facilities believing that after the seminar private schools would not be the same again in Akwa Ibom State
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State command, Mr Ayilara Waheed who pledged to partner with NAPPS on security, advised operators of private schools to inculcate in their curriculum skills acquisition so that the students can make a living from the skills acquired in event of inability to secure white-collar jobs upon graduation.
Represented by CSP Moses Etim, Waheed commended the participants for checkmating cultism and examination malpractices in their respective schools, adding the police as friends to the public were on hand to partner with NAPPS to provide a good learning environment for pupils and students.
Earlier, the state chairman of NAPPS, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Elder Nseobong Reuben Udoidiong, who is about a year old on the seat, promised to abide by all directives issued by the state Ministry of Education, believing that any directive by them is for the good of education of the children.
“We are honoured to have you from the Ministry of education around this seminar on capacity development for our members.
“We are ready to abide by all directives emanating from the ministry which, of course, we know cannot be on the negative, but for the good of education to move the state forward and make our children compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
Especially on zero tolerance to examination malpractices and cultism,” he assured.
Udoidiong who encouraged members to update facilities in their schools in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education, also stood in the gap by pleading with the supervising ministry to be cautious while wielding the big stick. He called on members who are yet to renew their registration to come forward to do so and get free identity cards for themselves.
The organizer and trainer of the seminar, Center for education development, Abuja, represented by Dr. Afolabi Adun, corroborated the call by the Commissioner of Police for the curriculum of private schools to be rejigged to make the graduands use skills acquired in schools for living.
