Aerial view of Wau town. (Photo: Courtesy.)

The Minister of Education in Western Bahr el Ghazal state has promised to evict and demolish businesses that have occupied school environments in the state.

Minister Simon Athio said he will act upon an order from the national Ministry of General Education – directing him to have all shops build on schools premises vacated and brought down.

“I was notified by the national ministry of education last July about the shops which have been built in the fence and the school compound which will create an conducive education environment for the student here,” said Athio.

He vows to evict any shops found within school compounds.

“I do I agree that these shops be removed as the directive from national ministry as I received it from undersecretary now and relocate this shops.”

On October 6, the Undersecretary of the national Ministry of General Education Kuyok Abol Kuyok ordered authorities in Western Bahr el Ghazal state to bring down shops encroached on schools.

“If you pass by the road you will see all fences of the school into the market,” Abol told the State-owned Television SSBC.

The education official said the decision is in line with one of the resolutions of the governors’ forum a year ago.

“The resolution of the last governor’s form which resolved all shops that built on the school compound must be demolished I take this opportunity to urge the state authority to implement this resolution to relocate this shop.”

Early last week, the Minister of General Education and Instruction Awut Deng Acuil warned business entities of eviction after she observed that shops were built on school premises in Juba.

An activist also asked the national parliament and the government of Central Equatoria State to act on the matter, saying the establishment of businesses on learning environment poses a threat or distraction to children.