The Ebonyi government has decried the proliferation of illegal schools in the state, with a warning to those behind the development to desist.

Peter Nwogbaga, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Secondary Education, made this known in a statement in Ebonyi on Sunday.

Mr Nwogbaga warned while inspecting some schools on Saturday in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

He said the situation had become worrisome, blaming churches for supporting the rising number of illegal schools. He warned individuals and groups to desist from the act.

“Even the churches are not helping the matter as they have turned every available space in the church premises into classrooms.

“I therefore call on the proprietors of the unapproved private schools to identify with the Ministry of Education officials to guide them on how to establish standard schools and get approvals,” Mr Nwogbaga said.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Education, Ifoma Agwu, said it was wrong to keep children under the tree and in unapproved environments for school activities.

Ms Agwu warned against unapproved school operations, adding that the state government would not allow illegal schools to continue to operate in such conditions anywhere in the state.

Tony Ngwuta, Director of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, said the inspection aimed to sanitise the private school system.

Meanwhile, some schools were sealed, including Shalom Nursery and Primary School, Cathedral Methodist Nursery and Primary School, Holy Family Nursery and Primary School, and Christian Child Nursery and Primary School, among others.

However, the proprietors of the affected schools insisted that their headquarters had secured approvals from the government to run schools on their church premises.

(NAN)