Jos — The Plateau State government says it has identified 870 illegal schools operating in the state. The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paul Wai, who disclosed this during an interactive session organised for stakeholders, said the ministry also de-registered 18 illegal secondary schools.

He said the discovery was a source of embarrassment to the state government.

Dr. Wai said the 18 secondary schools had been barred from taking the senior secondary school examinations, stressing that government was poised to fight the menace of illegal schools tagged “miracle centers.”

Jos — The Plateau State government says it has identified 870 illegal schools operating in the state. The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paul Wai, who disclosed this during an interactive session organised for stakeholders, said the ministry also de-registered 18 illegal secondary schools.

He said the discovery was a source of embarrassment to the state government.

Dr. Wai said the 18 secondary schools had been barred from taking the senior secondary school examinations, stressing that government was poised to fight the menace of illegal schools tagged “miracle centers.”

He urged the stakeholders who comprised of principals, alumni and Parents Teachers Association officials to partner with government to boost the education sector.

“It is commendable that teachers are employed by these associations to fill in the limited number we have, especially in public schools. We have also seen physical structures and computer labs in various schools provided by these associations,” he said.

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Ruth Biangten, the Permanent Secretary, Secondary Education in the ministry, expressed worry over the calibre of teachers employed by some stakeholders, saying most of them are not qualified for the job.

She enjoined the stakeholders to liaise with the newly created Private Public Partnership Unit (PPPU) of the ministry when executing projects.

Biangten said such partnership would assist the ministry in record-keeping and ensure the execution of quality projects.

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Plateau Uncovers 870 Illegal Schools, De-Registers 18