Imo Assembly Moves Against Illegal Primary & Secondary Schools, Adopts Motion For Closure Of Unapproved Ones

In a bid to maintain the high education standard and literacy rate, and status as the most educated state in Nigeria, the Imo State House Of Assembly has adopted a Motion for the closure of unapproved private primary and secondary schools in the state.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Ngor/Okpala State Constituency, Hon Prince Obinna Egu, noted that some private primary and secondary schools operating in the state did not meet the standard set by the relevant government accrediting agencies, as they lack proper certification and licensing.

Hon Obinna Egu, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Education, further noted that these unapproved private primary and secondary schools do not adhere to curriculum guidelines, have poor facilities and mostly engage unqualified and untrained teachers. In his words, he said, *"these unapproved private primary and secondary schools do not meet health and safety standards, and their admission procedure is misleading".*

 The ranking lawmaker further explained that since education plays a vital role in the development and progress of the society, with Imo state ranked as the most educated state in the country, with a literacy rate of 96.48%, according to the report from the National Bureau of Statistics, unapproved private primary and secondary schools cannot be allowed to carry out their educational activities. This, he said is aimed to forestall lowering the standards of the education sector.

Hon Egu thereafter beckoned on his colleagues to support the Motion in order to maintain the education standard in the state. 

The Motion which was seconded by the Majority leader and Member Representing Owerri West State Constituency, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, was co-sponsored by 10 lawmakers as follows;

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

3. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

4. Hon Francis Uche Agabige.

5. Hon Clinton Amadi.

6. Hon Innocent Ikpamezie.

7. Hon Sam Osuji.

8. Hon Emeka Ozurumba.

9. Hon Okey Udeze.

10. Hon Princewill Amuchie.

Supporting the Motion, the following Seven Honourable Members made useful contributions ;

1. Hon Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).

2. Hon Sam Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

3. Hon Princewill Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise).

4. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West).

5. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele).

6. Hon Emeka Ozurumba (Isu).

7. Hon Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).

In their respective submissions, they commended Hon Obinna Egu for the Motion, which was described as coming at the right time. They described some of these unapproved private  primary and secondary schools as family business where the husband is the proprietor, the wife is headmistress, while the son and daughter are teacher and account officer respectively, especially when they are unqualified. They bemoaned a situation where these schools which are characterized by inadequate curriculum have a teacher who cannot measure up to standard teaching two or more different subjects, thereby churning out unbaked students. They therefore called for concerted efforts to fight the anomaly, and advised that the Committee on Education should request the Ministry of Education to publish list of approved private primary and secondary schools in the state.

Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows ;

* Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Ministry Of Education To Shutdown All Unapproved Private Primary And Secondary Schools In Imo With Immediate Effect, To Maintain Our High Education Standard.

* Be It Resolved That The Ministry Of Education Should Publish The list Of Approved Schools That Have Met All Necessary Criteria To Be Able To Guide The Imo Indigenes Better.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.

 *Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha* 

26/09/2024