Cross River State Government has tightened regulatory measures for private and mission schools in the state, warning proprietors that violations of approved education standards could attract sanctions, including withdrawal of approval and closure.
The Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, announced the measures on the eve of the 2026/2027 academic session during a pre-resumption meeting with members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and representatives of mission schools in the state.
Odey said private ownership did not exempt schools from government regulation, stressing that all private and mission schools must comply with standards and guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Education.
‘Private schools, though privately owned, remain subject to the regulation of the Ministry of Education,’ he said.
The commissioner directed all private and mission schools to resume on Monday, September 14, 2026, and adhere strictly to the approved academic calendar, warning proprietors against altering official resumption or closing dates without government approval.
He also reaffirmed 2 p.m. as the approved closing time for nursery, primary and secondary schools across the state.
Odey warned that schools found violating the directive would face sanctions, including withdrawal of approval and possible closure.
He urged proprietors to sensitise parents against late registration, moderate school fees and comply with the ‘no lesson, no lesson fee’ policy.
On student documentation, the commissioner directed schools to ensure prompt registration and full compliance with the Student Identification Number (SIN) policy.
According to him, the policy would strengthen student records, improve accountability and educational planning, as well as curb fraudulent enrolment.
Odey also warned schools against using unapproved textbooks, saying the ministry was reviewing instructional materials to ensure their conformity with the revised curriculum.
He disclosed that the ministry had obtained the revised curricula approved by the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), urging private and mission schools to obtain and implement them to ensure uniformity with public schools.
The commissioner further charged proprietors to prioritise the training and retraining of teachers, stressing that competent and properly trained teachers were critical to improving teaching and learning outcomes.
He assured the stakeholders that the ministry would continue to engage and support private and mission schools while intensifying monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance and improve education standards across the state.
Responding, the Chairman of NAPPS, Pastor Abraham Osok, commended the commissioner for his leadership and reform initiatives, saying his approach and clear communication had helped stakeholders understand the new measures.
Similarly, the Education Executive Secretary of the Catholic Schools Board, Ogoja Diocese, Rev. Fr. Justin Udie, described Odey as ‘the right person to steer the Ministry at a time of significant reforms.’
Udie reaffirmed the commitment of mission schools to supporting the state government’s efforts to improve educational outcomes.
The stakeholders pledged continued cooperation with the Ministry of Education, expressing confidence that the strengthened regulatory measures would promote accountability, raise standards, and improve the quality of education in Cross River.