Delta orders closure of 662 schools

The Delta State Government has ordered the closure of 662 private schools operating illegally in the state.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Asaba, the state capital, on Saturday that the closure would take effect on July 8.
Muoboghare said some of the affected schools were not registered, adding that some were operating in the environments not conducive for academic activities.
He said: “Some of the schools are located in horrible, unsanitary areas, while some are sharing accommodation with barbing salons, churches and all kinds of businesses.
“There are those that remained in temporary accommodation for more than 20 years without effort to move to a new site.
“This is against the state government’s regulation of five years in temporary locations.
“We also have some whose proprietors just woke up and opened schools without approaching relevant government authorities for registration.”
He said the sanction on each school would be lifted if it complied with the conditions that led to its closure.
Sixty-two schools were closed in Warri South Local Government Area, 60 in Ethiope West, and 55 in Uvwie.
Warri North had five, while Bomadi and Patani Local Government Areas had six schools each.
Muoboghare warned that the state government would deal with any of the operators who defied the sanction.