The Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Management Board (KSPVIB) says it will file a court case against private schools operating illegally.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr Baba Abubakar-Umar, stated this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.
He said the KSPVIB would work in collaboration with the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission (PCACC) and the 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” Abubakar-Umar said
He said that any private schools found guilty or default in releasing data, hoarding information, using false data and evading tax payment will face the consequences.
“ I designed a form where i invited school owners in Kano to come for revalidation and discussion.
“When the forms were issued, i realised that we have about six to 7,000 private and voluntary schools within that period, those who have returned their forms are not more than 2,800.
“Only the 2,800 schools were duly registered”
According to him, the board has also 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 cooperate with the government, while others are not willing to abide by the law”
Abubakar-Umar revealed that since assuming office as the executive secretary of the board there has not been a single private school that has paid the required 10 per cent tuition fees to the government as stipulated by the law.
“Some are paying below 5 per cent 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.”
He disclosed 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.”
He reiterated the State government committement 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.
“This is the reason the governor declared a state of emergency in the sector as well as allocating one third of its 2024 proposed budget to education which is above the UNESCO declaration of 26 per cent,”he said.
Abubakar-Umar assured parents that the board would not relent in its efforts toward effective service delivery across the education sector.
