State Tightens Rules for Private, Mission Schools

The Cross River State Government has introduced stricter measures to regulate private and mission schools, warning proprietors that failure to meet approved education standards could lead to sanctions, including withdrawal of approval and closure.

The Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, announced the measures during a pre-resumption meeting with members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and representatives of mission schools ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session.

Odey said private ownership did not place schools outside government supervision, noting that all private and mission schools must operate in line with regulations and standards set by the state Ministry of Education.

He directed all private and mission schools to resume on Monday, September 14, 2026, and follow the approved academic calendar. Proprietors were warned against changing resumption or closing dates without obtaining government approval.

The commissioner also restated 2 p.m. as the approved closing time for nursery, primary and secondary schools in the state. Schools that violate the directive, he said, could have their approval withdrawn and may be shut down.

Odey urged school owners to properly inform parents about registration deadlines, keep fees at reasonable levels and comply with the state’s no lesson, no lesson fee policy.

He also directed schools to ensure the prompt registration of students and full implementation of the Student Identification Number (SIN) policy. According to him, the system would improve student record management, accountability and education planning while helping to prevent fraudulent enrolment.

The commissioner warned proprietors against using textbooks and other instructional materials that have not received approval from the ministry. He said the government was reviewing learning materials to ensure they conform to the revised curriculum.

He disclosed that the ministry had obtained revised curricula approved by the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), urging private and mission schools to acquire and implement the materials to promote uniformity with public schools.

The government also called on school proprietors to invest in regular training and retraining of teachers, with Odey noting that properly trained teachers were essential to improving the quality of teaching and learning.

The commissioner assured private and mission school operators that the Ministry of Education would continue to engage with and support them, while strengthening monitoring and enforcement across the sector.

NAPPS Chairman, Pastor Abraham Osok, commended the commissioner for his approach to education reforms and said the ministry’s communication with school proprietors had helped stakeholders understand the new requirements.

The Education Executive Secretary of the Catholic Schools Board, Ogoja Diocese, Rev. Fr. Justin Udie, also expressed support for the government’s education initiatives and pledged the continued cooperation of mission schools.

The stakeholders agreed to work with the Ministry of Education on the implementation of the new measures, with the government expecting the strengthened regulation to improve accountability and education standards across Cross River State.