Kogi private schools charge lowest fees than most states — Yaqueen, kogi NAPPS chairman.
The kogi state Chairman of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS , Dr.Yaqueen Habeeb said contrary to insinuations, his members charged lowest fees compared to what is charged in most states across the country.
This is just as he disclosed that multiple taxes levelled on private schools in kogi state, if not checked, poses threats to the growth of private schools in the state.
He said private schools are providing educational Support for the government to achieve its obligations to provide qualitative education for the citizenry and should rather be supported than to be choked by unpredictable taxes.
The Chairman disclosed this on Tuesday during this year’s Private Schools Day held in Lokoja, with the theme “Curbing rising spate of insecurity-way forward for Education in Nigeria”, lamented that security has become a major challenge, with several schools, students, teachers and parents being kidnapped on daily basis.
He explained that the Private Schools day celebration is meant for brainstorming and to chart ways towards ensuring safety of schools, teachers and students
He advised Governments at all levels not to 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.
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 to help the government in achieving her constitutional roles to her Citizens.
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 through multiple taxes, stressing that private schools are made to pay taxes on school buses , ground rents and other sundry taxes that has become a clog on the growth of private schools..
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.
According to the State Chairman, ” No Nation, individual, society can attain needed growth without Education” explained that many countries lagging behind in the development and growth equilibrium is because they lack qualitative education
He disclosed that the Association has to set aside a day for Proprietors to come together to brainstorm on how to move the sector forward , said the authority aught to provide incentives for the growth of the sector.
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.