Delta State Government is set to review the registration procedure of private schools with a view to promoting academic standard, even as the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie, affirmed that the ministry would partner with private sector to revive school sports in the state.

The commissioner said the review was to check the proliferation of private schools in the state. The commissioner made the statement during a media briefing in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Ebie also debunked the speculation making the rounds in some quarters that it had sacked Education Marshals (EduMarshals) set up by the immediate past administration in the state

Ebie noted that the state government has not terminated the appointment of EduMArshals in the state, pointing out that the EduMarshals were still performing their duties in maintaining punctuality among students.

According to him, the state government was only reviewing the operational mode of the EduMarshals to enable it determine the appropriate organ of government that would oversee the activities of the body.

“We have not disbanded or terminated the appointment of EduMarshals in the state; we are only reviewing their operational mode to enable us determine the appropriate organ of government that would oversee their activities.

“As you may have observed, they were on the streets today doing their legitimate duties, a development which clearly shows that they have not been disengaged.”

On the high teachers to students ratio in Agbor, Asaba and Ughelli, the Commissioner said that the development was a result of the handover of schools in the state to their missionary owners, adding, however, that the state government was handling the issue at present with a view to addressing the problem of over-crowded classrooms in public schools in the affected areas.

Speaking on the growing menace of cultism in some secondary schools across the state, the Commissioner said: “We are going to look into that by working with principals of schools to ensure that students are not brainwashed into embracing cultism.”

•Photo shows Gov Okowa.