By Douglas Princemola
A civic group, Academic Pressure Group (APG), has called on the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to take immediate action against private schools operating below approved standards in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group expressed concern over the increasing number of private schools that do not meet the basic requirements for running educational institutions. According to them, many of these schools lack proper facilities, qualified teachers, and government approval.
The group noted with concern that some private schools are operating in small rented apartments and residential buildings without essential facilities such as a school farm or a playground. They stated that any school that does not have a functional school farm and a playground should be shut down and its license withdrawn immediately.
They further warned that the absence of farms in schools has led to a serious gap in the teaching of agricultural science, as students no longer have practical exposure to farming activities. Likewise, the lack of playgrounds is affecting the physical and social development of children.
“The agricultural subject is slowly disappearing from the lives of pupils because there is no place to farm,” the group said. “Also, children have nowhere to play or engage in physical education. These are basic requirements for any proper school.”
The group accused some school operators of prioritizing profit over quality education and warned that continued tolerance of such schools could affect the overall educational development in the state.
They called on the state government to conduct a full inspection and verification of all private schools, and to shut down any that fails to meet infrastructure, staffing, or registration standards.
The government should not allow any private school to operate if it does not meet the basic standards set by the Ministry of Education,” the group said. “Any school found wanting should be closed, and its license withdrawn.
They urged the Ministry of Education to take its oversight role more seriously and ensure that only properly accredited schools are allowed to operate in the state.
The group also called on parents and community members to report any substandard or suspicious schools in their areas, in order to protect the future of children.
Education is key to development, and we must all work together to ensure students in Imo State receive proper and complete learning, the statement concluded.
