RIVERS GOVT TO SHUT DOWN UNAPPROVED PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM JUNE 15

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Rivers State Government has announced plans to begin the shutdown of unapproved private schools operating within the state as part of efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance and improve education standards.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt and made available to journalists.

According to the statement signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Torchi Abinye Pepple, the enforcement exercise will commence on June 15, 2026.

Nwagor said the move is aimed at strengthening quality assurance in the education sector, protecting the welfare of pupils, and ensuring that private schools operate within approved guidelines.

He directed all approved private schools with outstanding annual renewal fees to immediately settle their arrears, warning that only schools with valid approval certificates and up-to-date payment records would be allowed to continue operations.

The statement added that schools operating without registration and official approval from the Ministry of Education, as well as those failing to meet required educational standards, would be shut down in line with the state’s Private Schools Law and other relevant regulations.

“The Rivers State Ministry of Education has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at closing unapproved private schools operating across the State,” the statement read in part.

It further noted that the exercise is intended to ensure children receive quality education in safe and conducive learning environments, while promoting excellence in private school administration.

The Commissioner also urged school proprietors seeking further information to visit the State Quality Assurance Services Office at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, or contact the Director of SEQAS.

The Ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing standards and improving the quality of education across Rivers State.