Khadijah Aliyu
The Kano state private and voluntary institutions management board KSPVIB says it will fill court cases on private schools operating illegally.
The executive secretary of the board Comrade Baba Abubakar Umar made the disclosure during an exclusive interview in Kano.
According to him KSPVIB would work in collaboration with the Kano state public complaints and anti corruption commission PCACC and Kano state ministry of justice to prosecute defaulting private schools.
“There are schools in Kano that are not registered some are registered but their registration has expired and there are those that do not even want to get registered at all”
He pointed out that private schools found guilty of default in releasing data, hoarding information, using false data and evading tax payment will face consequences.
Comrade Baba Abubakar explained that out of the total number of private and voluntary schools in Kano only about 2,800 are duly registered.
“ I designed a form where I invited school owners in Kano to come for revalidation and discussion. When I issued the forms i realized that we have about six to seven thousand private and voluntary schools within that period those who have returned their forms are not more than 2,800”
The executive secretary maintained that the board set an agenda to address issues related to school fees increment without due process, imposing purchase of books, cardigan and unnecessary and irrelevant materials.
“I have realized that most of the proprietors are willing to come to terms with the government, while others are not willing to abide by the law,”
He noted that since assuming office as the executive secretary of KSPVIB, not a single private school has paid the required 10% of tuition fees to the government as stipulated by the law.
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“Some are paying below 5% because the economy is bad; schools and parents are complaining. That is why I am approaching the exercise with compassion.”
“For schools that are defying and are willing, we will look at their errors and advise them to correct their mistakes before taking legal action.”
Speaking on the issue of insecurity, he stressed that the board has been monitoring schools in disguise, as Nigeria requires schools to provide adequate security.
“KSPVIB is cautious of validating schools without tentative sponsors or someone who is well-known in communities and localities.”
Comrade Baba Abubakar hinted that the Kano State government was committed to the provision of sound and quality education through policies and programs as well as conducive learning environment.
“The state government under the leadership of Alhaji Abba Kabir is passionate about education as it has declared a state of emergency in the sector as well as allocating 30% of its 2024 proposed budget as an incentive to boost education in the state
“ which is above the UNESCO declaration of 26%”
He assured parents that the Kano state private and voluntary institutions management board KSPVIB would not relent in its efforts of ensuring effective service delivery across the education sector.