Ahead of resumption of schools for 2024/2025 academic session, member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio has raised alarm over the increasing rate of illegal nursery and primary schools in Akwa Ibom.
Prince Ukpong Akpabio, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges was speaking during plenary today in a motion on “Urgent Need to Clamp Down on Illegal Nursery and Primary Schools operating in the State.”
The motion was brought pursuant to Order 3 Rule 1 of the Standing Orders of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (7th edition).
Prince Akpabio, a lawyer said unscrupulous elements have endangered and continue to endanger the future of innocent Akwa Ibom children by operating nursery and primary schools against the basic criteria laid down by Akwa Ibom State Education Law Cap 48.
He stressed that apart from “operating from facilities and environment that are grossly unfit and alarmingly unsafe for educational development of children, the illegal nursery and primary schools do not meet the standard curriculum”.
The Essien Udim representative expressed regret that “despite several calls for action by this Honourable House, these illegal schools do not only continue to operate, but sadly have increased in numbers.”
Prince Akpabio warned that “if left unchecked, the activities of the operators of illegal nursery and primary schools will not only imperil the future of our children, but will also make mockery of the intentions of the State Government’s Education component of Governor Pastor Umo Eno’s ARISE agenda.”
In its resolution, the House mandated the State Ministry of Education to close down illegal schools and embark on public awareness campaign on the dangers posed by illegal schools using the radio, television, print media and social media.
It also directed the Ministry to submit a quarterly report to its Committee on Education which should carry out an oversight on the matter to a successful conclusion.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong who presided over the plenary, directed the Clerk, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok to communicate the resolution to appropriate quarters for immediate action.
