The Abia State Government has taken action against substandard private schools, closing down a total of 197 institutions that failed to meet the required minimum standards set by the government.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, during a briefing with journalists following the Executive Council Meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

The closures are part of the state government’s “Reclaim Our Schools Initiative,” which involves inspecting schools to reform the education sector and enhance standards.

Approximately 900 schools have been inspected so far as part of this ongoing initiative.

Kanu emphasized the government’s commitment to education reform, stating, “The inspection of schools is ongoing, at the last count, about 900 schools have been inspected. A few of the schools have not been so lucky; they fell short of the required standards, and they were shut down. That exercise is ongoing and speaks to the determination of the state government to reform the education sector.”