On Thursday the 21st of January 2021, the Anambra State Government announced the closure of a private school, Royal Ambassador’s Schools, in Onitsha for allegedly going against the school resumption directives and COVID-19 prevention protocols.
The government also declared that the school’s license would be withdrawn.
Christy Obiano, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education in the state, in his statement in Awka said the government action would serve as a deterrent to other schools.
An earlier directive from the government had said only proprietors and teachers should resume on January 18 so as to put proper structure in place against COVID-19 Prior to the resumption of pupils and students on the first of February.
Rather than follow these laid down instructions by the government, both the pupils and students of the Royal Ambassador’s Schools reportedly returned to classes in violation of the directive.
The permanent secretary stated “Students and pupils of the schools were also seen without face masks, on Monday, January 18, receiving lessons against government’s directives.
“The schools’ fragrant disobedience to government’s directives can endanger the lives of children, and it is not in the best interest of education in the state.”
In an advice to all parents of Royal Ambassador’s Schools, the permanent secretary said they should withdraw their children from the school.
