Imo shuts 22 illegal private schools, gives 37 one week to register

The Imo State government has shut down 22 private nursery, primary and secondary schools located in Owerri municipal and Orlu for allegedly operating illegally.

Thirty-seven others found to be operating without due registration were given one week to do so with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology or face the sledge hammer of closing them also.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Owerri and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Gertrude Ego Oduka, directing the affected institutions to comply with immediate effect.

According to the statement, 10 schools were closed in Owerri and 12in Orlu, while owners of 19 schools in Orlu and 18 in Owerri were directed to proceed to the ministry to “for formalisation within one week” to ascertain their legibility to continue operation.