28/09/2024
IMHA Calls on Ministry of Education to Shut Down Unapproved Private Schools
The Imo State House of Assembly (IMHA) has urged the Ministry of Education to immediately close down all unapproved private primary and secondary schools in the state to maintain high educational standards.
This resolution followed a motion led by Hon. Prince Obinna Egu, PhD, representing the Ngor/Okpala State Constituency. The motion was seconded by Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, the Majority Leader and representative of Owerri West State Constituency. It was co-sponsored by several other lawmakers including Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon. Francis Uche Agabige, Hon. Clinton Amadi, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, Hon. Sam Osuji, Hon. Emeka Ozurumba, Hon. Okey Udeze, and Hon. Princewill Amuchie.
As part of the motion's second prayer, the Ministry of Education was urged to release a list of approved schools that have met all necessary standards, to guide the people of Imo State in choosing the right institutions for their children.
While presenting the motion, Hon. Obinna Egu, who also chairs the House Committee on Education, explained that his motivation was driven by a desire to ensure Imo State maintains its high educational standards, literacy rate, and status as Nigeria's most educated state.
He emphasized that some private primary and secondary schools in the state have failed to meet the required standards set by government accrediting agencies. These schools lack proper certification and licensing, do not follow curriculum guidelines, have inadequate facilities, and employ unqualified and untrained teachers.
“These unapproved schools also fail to meet health and safety standards, and their admission procedures are often misleading," Hon. Egu added. He stressed that education plays a vital role in societal development and that Imo, with its impressive 96.48% literacy rate as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, cannot afford to allow such schools to operate.
The Ngor Okpala lawmaker made it clear that this motion aims to prevent a decline in the quality of education in Imo State.
All lawmakers present at the plenary, including Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli), Hon. Sam Osuji (Isiala Mbano), Hon. Princewill Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise), Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), Hon. Emeka Ozurumba (Isu), and Hon. Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano), spoke in support of the motion. They commended Hon. Egu for raising the issue, highlighting that many of these unapproved schools operate as family businesses, where unqualified relatives hold key positions, from proprietors to teachers and accountants.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the inadequate curriculums and the practice of assigning unqualified teachers to multiple subjects, which results in poorly educated students. They called for collective efforts to address these issues and suggested that the Ministry of Education be required to publish a list of all approved schools in the state.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe put the motion to a vote, and it was unanimously adopted. The Clerk was directed to communicate the resolution to the Governor of Imo State.