Over 300 private schools in Borno state are facing the possibility of closure due to their failure to participate in the government’s mandatory accreditation process. Commissioner for Education, Engr.
Lawan Wakilbe, stated on Wednesday that this action is necessary to curb the proliferation and questionable practices of some private schools. He expressed concern that, since the exercise began in 2022, only 266 private schools out of about 600 have complied.
A meeting involving the Ministry of Education, private school proprietors, the Ministry of Justice, and the police will be convened to emphasize the illegality of operating unaccredited schools and to caution about potential closures and prosecutions.
Wakilbe also underscored the significance of technical and vocational education in Borno, aiming to equip graduates with skills for self-employment.
He pointed out that many out-of-school children in the state have surpassed regular school age, emphasizing the need for basic literacy, numeracy, and technical skills acquisition to help them rebuild their lives.
The popularity of technical and vocational schools is evident, with thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of slots. Governor Babagana Zulum has approved measures such as morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate the surge in student interest. Additional technical and vocational schools are set to be commissioned in Magumeri and Mafa Local Government Areas.
