In its ongoing effort to ensure adherence to quality and standard, the Quality Assurance Department (QAD) of the FCT Education Secretariat on Tuesday sealed four schools and issued warning to two others.
The QAD Director, Mr Ayuba Didam, while sealing one of the schools, Harmony International School situated at Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe, said the department would not compromise on quality and standard.
Didam said that the school had not been accredited by the department, “which means it is operating illegally without approval’’, and warned that the department would not condone any illegality.
He stressed that any school operating without going through the processes and guidelines set by the department would be closed down.
The director advised those who wished to establish and run schools in the territory to ensure that they met the criteria before seeking approval from the department.
“Accreditation is a quality assurance process that assesses an institution’s mission, goals, resources, performance and effectiveness.
“This is in accordance with the approved FCT Guidelines on the Establishment and Operation of Educational Institutions.
“The guidelines were developed to regulate the improvement and development of the education in the FCT.
“It is intended to strengthen and sustain quality in education in the FCT and to give students and the public confidence in FCT schools.
“Only schools operating within the specified regulations will be accredited by the FCT Education Secretariat,’’ he said.
He decried the proliferation of schools operating without compliance with the national minimum standard, saying it was sad that a three-bedroom flat originally designed as a residence, had been converted into creche, nursery, and primary school.
Didam also said he was surprised that the proprietress, a retired Director of Education, would commit such illegality knowing fully that it was wrong to establish a school without following due process.
He advised parents to always check the educational standard of an institution before registering their children.
“Nursery, Primary and Secondary education is the bedrock of education without which the foundation will definitely be shaky.
“Parents should endeavour to come to the department for the list of approved schools for the benefits of all of us.’’
He said that the exercise would be sustained, to rid the territory fake, illegal and sub-standard schools.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the schools sealed include Harmony International Primary and Secondary Schools, Amana International School, KNAPS Academy and Fountain of Peace Basic School.
Meanwhile, St. Alicia Preparatory School and Amana International School were asked to relocate to their permanent sites within two years while Giant Stride Preparatory School was allowed to operate creche alone.
The six schools are located at FHA Phase ll, Lubge in the FCT.
Reacting after the sealing up of her school, Hajia Atinuke Ibrahim, the Proprietress of Harmony International Schools, a retired Director of Education, Kwara State, expressed regret that she delayed in following due process.
Meanwhile, Hajia Khadiat Mamman, the Deputy Director, Registration and Accreditation, said that between January and September 2014, 460 schools were sealed and that only 16 were able to meet the required standard and given approval to operate.
Mamman said that the department was currently processing the accreditation of 79 schools.
NAN
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