Government in Nigeria have been asked not to see Private Schools as an opposition to Government in running Education, rather they should be seen as people playing complementary roles in providing quality Education.
The Kogi State Chairman of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Kogi State Chapter, Dr. Yaqueen Habeeb, made the disclosure at the 2021 National Day for Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and award ceremony held in Lokoja, maintaining that rather than Government trying to muzzle private schools with heavy taxation and other disincentives , they should be encouraged to survive.
Dr. Habeeb disclosed that it is the function of the Government to provide Education for the citizens, said the failure to achieve this is what informs the coming in of Private Schools serving to complement the efforts of the Government.
According to Dr. Habeeb, in other sane countries, private schools are usually giving assistance by Government, but lamented that in Nigeria, it is not the practice.
He particularly called on the Kogi State Government not to kill private schools, lamented the multiple taxes, private schools are made to pay described it as a heavy burden on the operators.
Dr. Habeeb called on the State Government to create an enabling environment for schools to operate in the State, described Education as the most important aspect of the lives of any nation, society, people or individual.
The State Chairman of NAPPS dispelled insinuation that private schools are expensive in the State, disclosed that private schools are far cheaper in the state when compared with quality of teachers and infrastructure available in private schools in nearby the States.
According to the State Chairman, ” No Nation, individual, society can become anything without Education” explained that many countries lagging behind in the essential things of life is because they lack Education.
He disclosed that the day was set aside by proprietors of Private Schools, explained that people who are providing Education need to be celebrated as reasons why they have come together to celebrate themselves.
The Chairman explained that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Curbing rising spate of insecurity-way forward for Education in Nigeria”, disclosed that security is becoming a major challenge, with several schools, students, teachers and parents kidnapped on daily basis, said aside the celebration, the day is equally set aside for brainstorming towards ensuring safety of schools, teachers and students.
The Chairman described children as the future of any nation, expressed satisfaction that private schools have contributed positively to the Education in terms of providing quality Education.