The Taraba State Ministry of Education has decried the rate of illegal private schools in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Samson Ada, disclosed this at the Congress Meeting of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools NAPPS in Jalingo, the state capital.
” Some private schools in the state are not registered with the Ministry of Education , they don’t pay any dues, some don’t even have buildings, classrooms, teachers and other facilities. I want to make it clear that the days of illegal private schools operators are numbered, for the Ministry would not take it likely with such schools”, Ada said.
He advised such schools to ensure that they register for their own interest or face the wrath of the law.
He urged registered private schools to ensure that they pay or renew their registration with the Ministry despite their registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, and that any change of school name should be communicated to the ministry.
” Owners of Private Schools should first register with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, then come to the ministry with their certificate for registration with the Ministry of Education, they should ensure that they complete and return the Data forms and they should also follow the rules and regulations on starting any private school”.
He informed them to ensure that all teachers both private and public are registered with the Teachers Registration Council, TRC, adding that it is one of the basic requirements for every teacher.
In his remarks, the Zonal Chairman of NAPPS, Aliyu Jubrila, ponted out that Taraba State is blessed with personalities that are Educational care.
“Private schools are complementing the efforts of both State and Federal Governments’ and not to in competition with them”, Jubrila said.
According to him, the law establishing private schools does not make it mandatory for private schools to register with Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, but with the Ministry of Education.
“Nobody has the power to close down any school because of lack of registration with the CAC, only the state government through the Commissioner of Education”.
He expressed disappointment with the attitude of some parents who transfer their children many times within a short period.
“Henceforth, no child would be transferred from one school to another without agreement of the Proprietors of the two schools. Some parents transfer their children from one school to another each year for Six years, thereby completing school without paying a kobo”.
At the Congress, new leaders were elected to run the affairs of the Association for the next four years. They include: Nehemiah John ( Jetters Montessori School) – Chairman, Mela Samuel ( Mela memorial Secondary School, Chanchanji) – Vice Chairman; Japhet Sam ( Destiny Academy) – Secretary, Fidelis Tumba ( Bethel Mufbritruk Academy) – Assistant Secretary; and Regula Yuguda (Madiba Precious Academy), Treasurer.
Others are: Ahmadu Rika – Financial Secretary, Bala Njidda (Bames group of schools) – PRO North, Apollos – PRO South, Ifeoma Anene ( Divine Top Academy) – Welfare Officer, Evangelist Joshua Ayang (Demostration group of schools) – Auditor while J.J. Majang (Christian Children Academy) and Yelwa Ibrahim (Prospective Academy) as Ex- Officios
In his acceptance speech, the newly-elected State Chairman, Nehemiah John thanked his colleagues for giving him the mandate to serve them as Chairman.
“NAPPS in Taraba State has the best people that are creative and innovative for the development of the state, the success of this Association would be a collective one. NAPPS is the third highest employer of Labour in the state”.
He said unity was the most important ingredient in moving the association forward and urged members to be united, adding that the issue of multiple taxations will be over.
“The issue of multiple taxation and illegal transfers would be put to rest under the leadership of the new Excos. Dues would be paid as at when due and a Secretariat would be build”, he stated.
He said his doors were open to any suggestions from members for their contributions.
In his remarks, the outgoing state Chairman, Atsifa Garba Shamaki called on members to extend same cooperation giving to him during his tenure to the new Excos, pointing out that Unity is the key to success and urged members to unite and work as a team.
