Speaking on the closures, Prof. Mbah reiterated the Ministry’s stance against substandard education, stating that the Enugu State Government is intolerant to schools that compromise the well-being of students. “The safety and quality of education our children receive must be prioritized. We will not allow any school to operate below the required standards. This is about the future of our state, and we owe it to our children to give them the best foundation,” he stated.

The Enugu State Government has expressed growing concern over the alarming increase in unauthorized and substandard schools cropping up across the state. In line with the Education Law, specifically Part VI Section 49 subsection 2 and Section 53 subsection (1)(a) and (b), it is an offence to establish and operate a school without first obtaining evaluation and approval from the Ministry of Education.

The Task Force, set up by the government to enforce these minimum standards, is actively carrying out its mandate to ensure that every school in the state adheres to the stipulated guidelines. This effort highlights the government’s commitment to creating a safe, conducive learning environment for students.

The Ministry of Education has also reassured law-abiding schools that their compliance will be acknowledged, and the government will continue to support their efforts to provide quality education. However, schools found in violation will face immediate closure, penalties, and legal actions as the State has a zero-tolerance approach towards substandard education.

The public is hereby encouraged to report any unregistered or substandard schools within their communities to help maintain the integrity of education across the state.

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Teachings

The Enugu State Scholarship Board is a government agency in Nigeria that plays a significant role in facilitating access to education for deserving students in the state. Established in 2009 under the Sullivan administration the primary mission is to identify, support, and reward academically talented and financially disadvantaged students by providing scholarships and other forms of financial aid. The board is committed to ensuring that education remains accessible to all residents of Enugu State, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

The State Scholarship has been repositioned to serve as a one-stop shop for Enugu students on both local and international scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional studies, as well as bursaries and grants for students in need. It is a channel through which students in Enugu can access fully funded scholarship schemes available for developing countries using established eligibility criteria and application procedures. So far, the board has conducted the selection process and disbursed scholarships for over 300 Enugu Students to study in New Zealand under the fully funded New Zealand Development Scholarship programme. 

The portal is automated and applicants can create an account through which they can make and process their application. The portal has been designed to enable applicants also keep track of the status of their application. In addition, the portal offers CBT solutions that seamlessly conduct aptitude tests and exams. 

The Enugu State Scholarship Board is instrumental in promoting human capital development in the state by investing in the education of its youth. Providing financial assistance to students helps to reduce the financial burden on families and encourages academic excellence. The board's activities contribute to improving the overall educational landscape in Enugu State and support the state government's commitment to building a well-educated and skilled workforce for the future.