The Cross River government has shut down 69 private schools for failing to meet new education standards.
The move has left hundreds of pupils stranded, with parents appealing for urgent intervention.
Hundreds of pupils in Cross River State have been stranded after the state government shut down 69 private primary and secondary schools for failing to meet operational standards.
The closure, carried out between October 20 and 21, 2025, was part of the new Education Reform Policy introduced by the government. The enforcement team, led by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, said the move was necessary to restore order and ensure only properly approved schools operate in the state.
Parents and school owners have expressed frustration, warning that the sudden action could disrupt the learning process for thousands of children already in the middle of the term.
A parent, Mrs. Maria Umoh, whose four children attend one of the sealed schools, described the move as unfair. “Our children will stay at home while others continue learning. It’s painful,” she said.
Some proprietors said they had already started improving their facilities to meet the new requirements before the task force arrived to close their schools. They pleaded with the government to grant more time to complete the process.
The Education Reform Policy, introduced earlier in October, aims to improve the quality and consistency of education across public and private schools. It includes rules on academic calendars, approved textbooks, school closing hours, and restrictions on graduation ceremonies to only final-year classes.
Two special task forces were set up by the government, one to close unapproved schools and another to monitor compliance across local councils.
However, education stakeholders have warned that the lack of support or alternative arrangements for affected pupils could widen the gap in access to education. Many residents have called on the government to review the policy and find a way to uphold standards without harming students’ academic progress.
