- Governor Nyesom Wike said he wielded the big stick on the schools because they have been considered illegal
- Wike said many of the schools were used as magic centres where examination malpractices were carried out
- The governor also said his administration would strengthen the education sector of the state
A total of 1,886 schools have been shut down in Rivers state with Governor Nyesom Wike explaining that the action was because they did not have government approval.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike stated this when the management of Jesuit Memorial College, Mbodo-Aluu, visited him in Port Harcourt.
According to Wike, the affected schools were shut for failing to meet specified standards of the state ministry of education.
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He also advised parents with children in the schools to relocate their wards as the government was poised to fully implement measures aimed at strengthening the education sector in the state by September, 2017.
“We want to maintain standards that will uplift education in the state,” Wike said.
The report added that Wike explained that his administration was committed to transforming the Rivers and empowering its people through an enhanced education.
The governor condemned examination malpractice associated with some illegal schools operating as West African Examination Council (WAEC) centres in some parts of the state.
Wike noted that most of the illegal schools had become WAEC ‘magic centres’ where examination malpractices are promoted.
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The governor commended the management of the Jesuit Memorial College for establishing a branch in Rivers in honour of the 60 students who died in the Sosoliso air crash in Port Harcourt on Dec.10, 2005 as claimed by the principal, Rev Emeka Asogwa.
NAIJ.com had also reported that Governor Nyesom Wike directed the ministry of education to issue a 21-day ultimatum to operators of unregistered private schools to get approval or face immediate closure by the government.
The state commissioner for education Professor Kaniye Ebeku gave the warning during a meeting with members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Rivers state on Wednesday, April 27, at his office.
Watch this video of what Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers state, says about the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari:
