The Osun State Government says it has closed down about 600 private schools especially at the primary level as part of its effort to ensure sanity and sanctity in the education sector of the state.

This was disclosed Wednesday by the Commissioner for Education, Folorunsho Bamisayemi at the Inter-ministerial press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, Osogbo.

Bamisayemi said the schools were closed down because they did not meet the state’s minimum standard requirements for operation.

In his words, “We have declared war on mushroom schools. We have zero-tolerance for quacks in the system and schools that do not meet standards. We know the danger of mushroom schools because once anyone damages the education foundation of a child, it becomes difficult to build a solid structure on it.

“Starting from the ministry, we have reviewed our department of schools to ensure greater efficiency. We have segmented the department to supervise basic and post-basic schools.

“Anyone who wants to start a school must produce a Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria Certificate, among other requirements. We no longer grant licenses just because someone has spare funds to spend.”

Bamisayemi disclosed that the state has set irreducible minimum standards and also given provisional registrations to some schools that will run for a window period of two years.

The period he stated will be used to ensure proper monitoring adding that if after two years the benchmark is not met, the erring school will be outrightly closed.

He maintained that the state government is trying to eliminate quackery in the system and build a vibrant education system.