Cross River closes two illegal schools in Calabar over safety concerns

The Cross River State Ministry of Education has shut down two unapproved schools in Calabar South for breaking government rules.

The affected schools are God’s Connection High School on Nelson Mandela Street and Tdayspring Collegiate Stars on Egerton Street.

Education Commissioner, Senator Stephen Odey, on Thursday led a team of officials to seal the schools after finding they were operating without proper approval. He warned that running a school without following government guidelines puts children at risk.

“We will not tolerate illegal schools,” Odey said. “These children are being kept in poor, overcrowded conditions, which is unsafe. Anyone who wants to run a school must get official approval—no excuses.”

The commissioner also announced plans to inspect schools across the state to crack down on others operating illegally. Police will be stationed at the closed schools to ensure no one enters.

Parents have been told to keep their children away and consider moving them to government-approved schools. Meanwhile, the owners of the shut-down schools must visit the education ministry to learn the correct procedures for running a school.

The government says the move is to protect children’s safety and education standards.