Emerald Schools: Parents Urge School to Apologize Amid Closure
Abia Government Seals Emerald Schools in Aba, Parents Demand Apology
Mary Nwaeze 
In a surprising turn of events, parents with children enrolled at Emerald Schools in Aba are expressing their dismay at the recent sealing and withdrawal of approval by the Abia State government. The closure has prompted parents, including Mr. Idika Darlington, Nze Sydney Uba, Mrs. Amarachi Ochiabuto, and Geraldine Nkiru Ahukanna, to call on the school's management to issue a public apology to the state Ministry of Education.
Speaking exclusively on Wednesday, these parents emphasized the need for a sincere dialogue between the school and education authorities. They believe that a genuine apology and open communication could pave the way for the school's reopening.
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The abrupt closure has caught parents off guard, with some expressing shock at the timing, considering that schools are already well into the advanced stage of the first term. The parents revealed that the advice from the Abia State Ministry of Education to withdraw their children from Emerald was a significant setback, especially since they had already paid school fees for the term and purchased all necessary books and uniforms.
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While supporting disciplinary actions against the school for the unfortunate death of a pupil, the parents also lamented the broader impact on them. They highlighted the challenging economic situation, expressing concerns that some parents might struggle to afford registration fees at new schools until January 2024.
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Mr. Idika Darlington, a worried parent with three children in the school, voiced his fears, saying, "If the school is not reopened, I am afraid my kids may stay at home till January, and that would be very disturbing to me." The closure follows the decision by the Abia State Ministry of Education to shut down Emerald Schools, located at Port Harcourt Road, Aba, citing substandard operations. The ministry attributed the low standards to the tragic death of a pupil and emphasized that the closure was a measure to safeguard Abia children.
