Cross River Shuts 36 Unapproved Schools in Major Education Crackdown

The Cross River State Government has shut down 36 unapproved schools found operating illegally across three major education zones — Calabar, Ikom, and Ogoja — as part of a sweeping enforcement drive to restore standards in the education sector.

The closure followed an inspection by the newly constituted Task Force on Illegal Schools, launched earlier this month to monitor compliance with education laws and registration guidelines.

Confirming the development in Calabar on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Stephen Odey, described the situation as “unfortunate,” revealing that some individuals had been exploiting parents by running unregistered and substandard schools.

“We have begun full-scale enforcement across the state to sanitise the system and restore confidence in the education sector,” Odey said.
“Only schools that have met the required standards will continue to operate.”

Breakdown of the Enforcement Exercise

According to an official report from the Ministry of Education, 16 schools were shut in Calabar, 10 in Ikom, and 10 in Ogoja — all found to be operating without government approval or proper accreditation.

Professor Odey explained that the move aligns with the state’s renewed commitment to ensuring quality education and accountability among school operators. He noted that the enforcement would continue until every school in the state meets the approved operational standards.

Government Warns Parents and Proprietors

The Commissioner advised parents and guardians to verify the accreditation status of schools before enrolling their children, warning that the ministry would extend the operation to all 18 local government areas in the state.

“This exercise will continue until every illegal school is regularised or shut down. We are determined to protect the integrity of education in Cross River State,” he emphasized.

Professor Odey further urged school proprietors to comply with registration and safety guidelines, stressing that the government’s intent is not to disrupt learning but to ensure that all students receive quality education in a safe and approved environment.

Strengthening Education Integrity in Cross River

The Cross River State Government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the enforcement drive as part of its long-term plan to clean up the education sector and protect families from exploitation by unregistered school operators.

Officials from the education ministry have vowed to maintain consistent inspections until every school in the state aligns with required academic and infrastructural standards.

In summary, Cross River’s latest action underscores a growing statewide effort to rebuild public trust in education, prioritizing student safety and academic quality above all else.

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