The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki has directed the immediate closure of all Catholic schools operating without official approval under its jurisdiction.
The order was contained in a statement signed by the Director of the Department of Catholic Education, Rev. Fr. Edward Inyanwachi, on behalf of the Bishop, Most Rev. Peter N. Chukwu.
According to the directive, no Catholic school is permitted to operate within church buildings or parish halls.
Parents of affected pupils were advised to enroll their children in nearby approved schools, while school managers were instructed to refund fees already collected and formally disengage teachers in the affected institutions.
Fr. Inyanwachi explained that the move was necessary to align with government education policies and forestall possible embarrassment from enforcement actions by state officials. He described the directive as a “wake-up call” to ensure that Catholic schools are established through proper procedures, adequate planning, and sustainable funding.
The Diocese also ordered school managers to submit all relevant documents and financial records of the closed schools to the diocesan Education Office. Furthermore, all funds belonging to the affected schools are to be deposited with Umunnachi Microfinance Bank, with statements of account attached to the submitted records.
The statement stressed that strict compliance with the directive was compulsory for all managers and administrators.
