As public and private primary and secondary schools in Rivers State reopen today for the 2024/2025 academic session, the state government has advised private schools operating without government approval to shut down.

It advised owners of such schools to immediately approach the Quality Assurance Department of the State Ministry of Education for registration and approval.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The statement also advised all government-approved schools operating without up-to-date payment of their annual renewal fees to do so immediately to avoid embarrassment.

It reads in part: “The Rivers State Ministry of Education wishes to announce to owners of private schools operating in the state without government approval that they must cease operations and immediately approach the quality assurance department of the ministry for registration and approval.

“Also, all Government-approved schools operating without up-to-date payment of annual renewal fees are, by this announcement, advised in their interest to immediately pay their renewal fees to avoid the embarrassment of being shut down by the Ministry.

“Henceforth, the Ministry of Education will not consider apologies from any private school operating in flagrant disobedience to the established rules and regulations of the Ministry regarding their operation in the state.”