Cross River Government Takes Over 14 Community Schools

Professor Offiong-Offiong

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has approved the take-over of 14 community secondary schools by the state government.

The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Offiong Offiong, said this while briefing journalists in Calabar on Thursday on the activities of the ministry. He said the move was to further expand access to qualitative education in the state.

Offiong said that many of the schools were in the rural communities, adding that the take-over would further bring government closer to the people.

He said, “In order to further expand access to qualitative education delivery, on the approval of the governor, two secondary schools were established/taken over by government.

“They are Government Secondary School, Adiabo Okurikang Odukpani and Government Secondary School Mkpot in Etung.

“Government has also approved the take-over of 12 other community schools to further expand access to qualitative education in the state.”

According to him, some of the communities include Nselle Community, Ijemetop, Ikom, Ikpalegwa Community, Abi, Ofumbongha Community, Obubra and Okosora Community in Ikom local government area.

“The import of this is that there is an upsurge in the enrolment in our public schools which shows an expansion in access,” he said.

The commissioner also said the ministry had embarked on the accreditation of private schools in the state to ensure uniform standards in the schools.

“We urge proprietors/proprietresses of private schools to cooperate with the ministry by responding promptly to the template already forwarded to them.

“Already, a task force on illegal schools has been constituted by the government and all un-accredited/unapproved schools will be closed down, ‘’ Offiong said.

He appealed to all private schools with clean records to update their registration status with the Inspectorate Department of the ministry.