EDUCATION COMMISSIONER ENDORSES SCHOOL RE-ACCREDITATION, PROMISES IMMEDIATE APPROVAL FOR ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS  

By Obiageli Nwankwo :

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has called on private school proprietors to take advantage of the Federal Ministry of Education’s accreditation exercise to secure approval for their institutions.  

Speaking at the 3rd Annual General Meeting of the Ministry of Education and All Private School Proprietors in the state, held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, the Commissioner expressed concern over the high number of unapproved schools operating in the state.  

She emphasized that schools passing the Federal Ministry of Education’s re-accreditation exercise would be immediately approved by the State Ministry of Education, warning that running an unapproved school is a criminal offense, adding that any proprietor who fails to meet the accreditation requirements will face school closure.  

“This accreditation exercise is an opportunity for all unapproved schools to regularize their operations. Any proprietor who fails to comply will risk having their school shut down.”  

The Commissioner also urged proprietors to collaborate with the federal government’s team conducting the annual school census, emphasizing that cooperation is essential to secure the state and its students’ fair share of federal resources.  

She also advised school owners to always request a letter of authorization from the state ministry to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing school premises. “Schools are sacrosanct, and their sanctity must be respected,” she warned.  

In their remarks, the leaders of various private school associations commended the Soludo-led administration for fostering inclusive governance and ensuring peace in the state’s educational sector despite national security challenges.  

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, Director of Schools, Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeneke, other directors and education stakeholders.

*Obiageli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State