NIGERIA (Abuja) – Arrangements have been concluded by the FCT Administration to shut down over 150 illegal and substandard private schools by January, 2014.

The above statement was disclosed by the Education Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Kabir Usman, yesterday in Abuja during the 2013 Annual Media Briefing of the FCT Education Secretariat.

According to Mr. Usman, the schools concerned lacked infrastructure and academic standards, adding that the FCTA had given approval to the Department of Policy and Implementation (DPI) to shut them down as soon as the schools resumed next year.

“Some of the schools are using shanties, one classroom, some are sited close to refuse dump sites, while some of the teachers are secondary school drop outs,” he said.

Mr. Usman said that DPI had also accredited 384 private schools within the FCT that met the requirements and standards of the secretariat.

Meanwhile, Mr. Usman also revealed that the FCTA has signed an agreement with the Korean Organisation for International Cooperation and Assistance (KOICA) to establish Model Primary and Junior Secondary Schools on Airport road.

“The FCT Minister has provided a plot of land for the school which will be constructed at a cost of N2.4 billion,” he said.

According to him, work is expected to start in earnest as soon as access roads are provided.