IKOM, Nigeria, The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator (Associate Prof.) Stephen Odey, has shut down two illegal schools in Etung Local Government Area following an unscheduled inspection of educational institutions in the Central Senatorial District.
During the visit on February 18, 2025, the Commissioner, accompanied by top ministry officials, including Mr. Cyril Itam, Director of Special Duties, and Dr. Moses Agboreyo, Director of Higher Education and Policy, assessed schools in Ikom and Etung LGAs. The inspection revealed issues ranging from staff absenteeism to infrastructural challenges and overstaffing in some schools.
At Velos Secondary School, Ikom, only 13 out of 31 teachers were present at 7:40 a.m., with the principal and vice principal absent. While commending students for their neatness and discipline, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of academic commitment. He instructed the Coordinating Supervisory Director (CSD), Mrs. Okongor Caroline Ndim, to issue queries to the absentee school leaders and teachers.
A visit to Government Secondary School Asu-egbe, Ikom, at 8:20 a.m. revealed that 15 out of 22 teachers were in attendance, while three were on sick leave. Despite the need for infrastructural expansion due to population growth, the Commissioner expressed disappointment over the disorganization of the school, urging both students and staff to embrace discipline and excellence in their academic pursuits.
At Government Secondary School Effraya, Etung LGA, teaching activities were ongoing under the supervision of Principal Mrs. Mary Ochang, but a lack of seats and lockers hindered effective learning. The Commissioner mandated parents and guardians to provide necessary furniture within two weeks to support the government’s efforts. He also acknowledged the need for more teachers in the school and pledged to redeploy additional staff.
The visit to PCM Primary School Effraya exposed a case of overstaffing, with 14 teachers catering to just 85 pupils. The Commissioner attributed the declining enrollment to the discontinuation of the school feeding program and child labor in cocoa farming. He directed the CSD to submit the teachers’ names and qualifications for possible redeployment to schools in dire need of educators.
The crackdown on unauthorized institutions led to the closure of Express Pathway Academy and Lord Animex Standard School, both located at Effraya Junction, Etung LGA. The proprietors, Mr. Adagom Elijah Akpere and Mrs. Mbotidem Otu, were summoned to the Ministry of Education headquarters in Calabar to meet with the Director of Quality Assurance and obtain guidelines for legal school operations. The Commissioner urged parents to verify school approvals before enrolling their children to ensure quality education.
Reaffirming Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to revitalizing education in Cross River State, Senator Odey stressed that collective responsibility is crucial in achieving sustainable educational reforms.
