The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has closed two private schools for operating below the minimum standard in the FCT.

The affected schools are Erudite Bright Kids at Kagini and Jane’s Angela School in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The schools were closed during an operation to close all substandard schools operating in the FCT.

The Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCTA, Danlami Hayyo, who led the team in Abuja, explained that the measure was to ensure the quality of teaching and learning in FCT schools.

Mr Hayyo said the move was in line with the mandate of the Department of Quality Assurance, which is charged with the core responsibility of proper accreditation of schools, monitoring, and inspection.

According to him, this is to ensure quality educational services, compliance with the requirements for establishing schools, and enforcement of minimum standards as stipulated in the operational guidelines.

He called on the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to enlighten their members on minimum standards and the need to key into FCT Administration educational policies.

The mandate secretary also frowned at the attitude of some school proprietors who denied evaluators and inspectors access to school premises.

On her part, the director of the Department of Quality Assurance, Favour Nse-Edem, explained that the sealed schools failed to satisfy the conditions of establishing regular schools.

Ms Nse-Edem added that there were no records of their existence and that they had been operating for years. She added that the closure was key to maintaining school standards.

She said the department would continue ensuring public and private schools operate within expected standards.

The director said the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, approved the closure exercise.

“There are other schools operating in an environment that predisposes students to health hazards and those operating in faulty physical structures, among others.

“The department has continued to advise the school owners on what is expected of them but has continued to ignore the professional advice of quality assurance evaluators,” she said.

(NAN)