The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPP, in the south eastern state of Anambra has called for government’s collaboration and support to boost the smooth running of private schools in the state.
Speaking at a cultural event to mark the 2024 International Day of the African Child, in Nnewi, the Nnewi North Local Government Coordinator, NAPPS, Ben Orizu noted that the celebration would help children uphold African culture as well as instill in them the necessity of upholding and protecting the indigenous tradition.
Challenges
He lamented that multiple taxation and extortion are part of the challenges Private school proprietors face in the state.
Orizu said various state government officials and task forces invade their school premises to forcefully collect one tax or the other, stressing that this attitude has continued to cause distractions in the learning environment.
He blamed the situation on the lack of organised payment structure by the state government, which has allowed all manners of people claiming to be government officials to hijack the process.
According to Orizu, “Taxation and extortion by government officials have continued to hamper smooth operations of the school environment. This has become a worrisome development in the state. There is no organised payment structure of taxes and this is a loophole as these people claiming to be government officials explore to extort and intimidate us.
“The state government should create an organised payment structure. Lack of it has continued to affect the smooth running of private schools in the state.”
“Apart from this, the state government has neglected the plight of the private schools in the state. We are not being carried along in the areas of tax reliefs, subvention, and incentives, even though we help to bridge the gap in the system because the public schools alone cannot cater to the educational needs of the children in the state.
He said; “The state government should also extend some facilities to private schools since they help to achieve the purpose of education in the state.”
The Southeast NAPPS Financial Secretary, Paul Muoneke urged the state government to also remember private schools when giving subvention and other incentives to schools.
Muoneke said the state government should also consider posting students writing Common Entrance examinations, explaining that those whose parents can’t afford to train in private schools can still change schools.
He lauded the past administration for providing some private schools with laptops and subvention to build libraries, including renovations in most schools, saying “they would appreciate it if Governor Soludo would do the same.”
Contributing, the Director of Nnewi Museum, Mr Caleb Okeke, who spoke on ‘Empowering African Children: Education, Equality and Opportunity,’ encouraged the children to embrace and always stand up for their rights in upholding African culture.
Okeke urged the pupils and students to avoid things that can derail them from their path to greatness.
The cultural event, in which about 30 schools participated, featured the presentation of cultural activities, dance, award presentations and display of Igbo culture, including a visit to the Nnewi Museum and other side attractions.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
