The Abia government has shut down seven private schools in Aba, Abia, for operating illegally and in an unfriendly environment.

This was disclosed in a statement by the commissioner for basic education, Emma Ukwu, on Friday.

The schools are Bethesda House International School, 42 Owerri Road off Okigwe Road Aba; Lily Brains International School, 57 Erondu Street Aba; Conquering Ground International School, 35 7up Road Ogbor Hill Aba; Presbyterian Academy, 35 Glass Industry Extension, 7up Area Ogbor Hill, Aba; Shade of Mercy International School; Fruitful Ground Christian School, Aba; and His Mercies Christian Academy, St Eugene Road Aba.

Mr Ukwu urged the parents and guardians of pupils of the shut schools to withdraw their children from those schools immediately, warning the schools against sabotaging the government’s order.

The commissioner further said defaulting school proprietors might also be prosecuted. He also directed all private schools operating illegally in Abia to shut down.

Mr Ukwu explained that the decision followed the Abia government’s resolve to sanitise the education sector by ensuring the proper establishment and running of schools.

He accused some schools of compromising standards after being approved by the government, threatening to withdraw their operating licences.

The commissioner directed all genuine schools to display copies of approval instruments publicly and show original copies to education ministry officials on demand.

(NAN)