By Kelvin Ololo
Public and private nursery, primary and secondary schools across Cross River State will resume for the 2026/2027 academic session on Monday, September 14, 2026, with the Ministry of Education directing schools to strictly comply with approved academic and operational policies.
The directive, contained in a public announcement signed by the Director of Schools, Mrs Inaku Theresa Iyozo, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, calls on pupils, students, parents, teachers, proprietors and school administrators to ensure a smooth resumption and immediate commencement of academic activities.
The Ministry warned that all public and private schools must follow the approved 2026/2027 academic calendar, with non-compliant schools liable to sanctions, including withdrawal or withholding of their approval to operate.
Under the approved school hours, primary schools are to close by 1:PM while secondary schools are to close by 2:00 p.m. Compulsory lessons beyond the approved closing times are prohibited.
The Ministry also directed schools to use only textbooks approved by the Cross River State Ministry of Education, advising parents against purchasing materials outside the approved list.
Schools and publishers are equally prohibited from imposing workbooks or other materials that could unnecessarily increase parents’ financial burden.
Schools are further required to implement the revised Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) curricula for the relevant classes.
On school ceremonies, the Ministry restricted graduation ceremonies to recognized exit classes—Primary 6, JSS 3 and SS 3—while graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery and other non-exit classes are prohibited.
As part of measures to address safety and student welfare, all schools are required to establish Anti-Drug Clubs and functional Anti-Bullying Committees.
Learners found culpable of serious bullying or related misconduct are to face appropriate disciplinary measures in line with school regulations and government policy.
The Ministry has also mandated every school to implement the Student Identification Number (Student ID) System, with each learner expected to retain the identification number throughout their educational journey in the state, including when transferring between schools.
According to the Ministry, the system is intended to improve student tracking, educational planning and record-keeping, while reducing discrepancies in school enrolment figures.
The Ministry urged school proprietors, heads, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to adhere to the directives, stressing that compliance is mandatory as the state begins the new academic session.
The government said the measures are aimed at promoting a safe, disciplined, affordable and quality learning environment for children across Cross River State.
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