In a shocking revelation, Chad's Education Minister Dr. Mahamat-Ahmad Alhabo announced on September 23 that several private schools in the capital city of N'Djamena are operating without authorization. A mission by the inspection générale du ministère de l'Éducation nationale, led by Dr. Alhabo, uncovered 15 such establishments in the 7th arrondissement of N'Djamena. These schools reportedly recruit and train students without existing in official administrative documents.
The minister described these unauthorized schools as "écoles fictives" or "écoles sauvages," emphasizing the gravity of the situation. According to Dr. Alhabo, these schools issue "fictitious" certificates, potentially harming students and parents who trust them. The minister accused the inspection B of the 7th arrondissement of turning a blind eye to the situation, allowing these schools to collect tuition fees from unsuspecting parents.
Out of 85 schools surveyed in the 7th arrondissement, only 15 have regularized their situation, with some operating with provisional authorizations. Dr. Alhabo warned that these schools must comply with regulations and standards, including hiring qualified personnel and meeting infrastructure requirements. Those that fail to comply will face closure, the minister stressed.
The Education Minister emphasized that the government will not tolerate the exploitation of parents and students. "The school is neither a 'souk' nor a 'bazar,'" Dr. Alhabo said, stressing that private schools must adhere to established norms and regulations. The government plans to extend its evaluation of private schools to other areas, potentially uncovering more unauthorized establishments.
The discovery of these "fictitious schools" has sparked concerns over the quality of education in Chad. Dr. Alhabo warned that if the trend continues nationwide, thousands of such schools may be operating without authorization. The minister assured that those responsible will be held accountable and that the government will take necessary actions to address the issue.
The Chadian government has taken a firm stance on the matter, with Dr. Alhabo announcing that his ministry will take responsibility for ensuring that private schools operate within the law. The government aims to provide a safe and quality education system for Chadian students, and the recent discovery of unauthorized schools has highlighted the need for greater oversight and regulation.
As the government moves to address the issue, parents and students are likely to be affected. The minister's warning that unauthorized schools will be shut down has raised concerns about the potential impact on students who rely on these institutions for their education. However, Dr. Alhabo emphasized that the government's primary concern is ensuring that students receive a quality education.
Key points
- Chad's Education Minister Dr. Mahamat-Ahmad Alhabo has announced the discovery of 15 unauthorized private schools in N'Djamena's 7th arrondissement.
- The minister has warned that schools operating without authorization will be shut down if they fail to comply with regulations.
- The government plans to extend its evaluation of private schools to other areas, potentially uncovering more unauthorized establishments nationwide.
