The Ebonyi government has closed four schools operating in Onicha Local Government Area of the State over substandard facilities.
The schools were closed by a committee on the closure of illegal and substandard schools operating set up by Commissioner for Education Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi to sanitize the education system on in the state instruction of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
The committee led by the Senior Special Assistance to the Governor on Education Hon. Peter Nwogbaga led members to the four schools in Onicha LGA where children were packed together in unfit structures being used as classrooms.
Addressing the Proprietors of the respective illegal schools, Nwogbaga frowned on what the team witnessed, describing it as an eyesore.
Nwogbaga said that government of Ebonyi State Nwifuru administration will not allow her children to be packed in a residential rooms, uncompleted building and church halls in the name of schools.
The closed schools are Power Nursery and Primary School, Open Door Nursery and Primary School Amaofuhu,Anglican Nursery and Primary School Umubo and Prince of Life Nursery and Primary School, Umubo
Meanwhile, the Director Inspectorate and Quality Assurance Department in the Ministry of Education, Anthony Ngwuta, has warned the affected schools proprietors not to operate again to avoid arrest and prosecution.
He advised them to visit Ministry of Education to peruse the guidelines and requirements for school establishment.
Speaking at the end of the event, the representative of Umubo Elite Forum Prince Felix said that Umubo Community is deeply impressed with the state government for responding to their education needs.
He noted that the Community Nursery and Primary School Umubo Onicha Igbeze which is public School has collapsed because of the operations of the substandard school and self acclaimed teachers.
Proprietors of the schools declined interview from newsmen in the event