Henry Okere, Port-Harcourt
Rivers State Government has warned private schools operating in the state against flaunting the outline of school activities in the state.
The state government had earlier ordered that no school in the state should embark on the 3rd term vacation till September 10th, following the delays on the academic calendar caused by the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
But, information has it that some private schools in the state have concluded plans to end the academic session and close August 20 as against the government’s plan.
The government in statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sir Chidi Adiele, threatened the government any private school that flaunts the outline as earlier released in the state would be sanctioned.
The statement reads in part, “It has come to the attention of the Rivers State Ministry of Education that some private schools in the state are planning to vacate for the 3rd term 2020/2021 academic session on August 20 in flagrant disobedience of the state government’s approved school calendar.
“In the released calendar approved by His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike in August, 2020, schools are to vacate for the third term 2020/2021 academic session on September 10, 2021. Thus, schools are to vacate on the approved date.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any private school that vacates before the approved closing date shall face appropriate sanctions and fines payable directly to the state government through the ICT Department.
“By this notice, private schools are informed to adhere strictly to this directive. Officials of the state Ministry of Education shall be deployed to seal up schools that vacate before the approved closing date.”