Anambra State Government on Wednesday announced the closure of an illegal school over a case of near-death experience by one of the pupils.
The school, Upcoming Star International School, is situated at 114 Ifite Road, behind St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Ifite-Awka.
The school had reportedly operated illegally for over four years and was found to have insufficient teachers, with pupils allegedly being manhandled.
Following a report of bullying suffered by a seven-year-old, Olaedo Ozioko, a pupil of the school, the Proprietor, Mr. Uchechukwu Onyeachonam, was invited for questioning at the office of the Commissioner for Education.
During questioning, the proprietor while admitting that the offense was committed in his school, appealed for pardon, promising to do the right thing going forward.
Announcing the closure of the school on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh directed that the school be sealed immediately.
The Commissioner regretted the continued existence of such illegal schools which has been causing mayhem to the children of Anambra State.
Commissioner Chuma-Udeh warned that henceforth, proprietors of such illegal schools would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for contravening the laws of the State that declared their operations criminal.
“I want to call on parents to support this war against illegal schools in the state by desisting from sending their children and wards to unapproved schools.
“No matter how low their costs may be, it cannot make up for the implications of the dangers they subject their children to.
“Again, no matter how many schools we shut down for operating illegally, these operators will continue to thrive because they are patronized.
“The only way to put them out of business is if parents stop sending their children there,” the Commissioner posited.
