…..Stakeholders Commend Gov. Sule, Assembly’s Commitment to Quality Education
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has conducted a public hearing on a bill seeking to regulate the establishment and operations of private nursery, primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the state.
The proposed legislation is aimed at addressing the proliferation of private schools, curbing educational quackery and strengthening standards in the state’s education sector.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, declared the public hearing open in Lafia, explaining that the exercise was organised by the House Standing Committee on Education, Science and Technology to obtain inputs from educationists and other relevant stakeholders before the passage of the bill.
Jatau said the proposed law, when enacted, would empower the Ministry of Education to effectively regulate private educational institutions, establish minimum operational standards and provide clear guidelines for their establishment and management.
According to him, the legislation would also help address the declining standards in the education system, promote quality learning and align educational practices in Nasarawa State with global best practices.
The Speaker commended the Nasarawa State Government for initiating the bill, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of education across the state.
“I want to appreciate the State Government for initiating this bill towards ensuring quality education in the state.
“I have subjected the bill to Public Hearing in order to get inputs from you so that we will have a good law that will regulate the establishment of private schools for quality education in the state,” he said.
He urged participants to make meaningful contributions to the legislative process, assuring them that the Assembly remained committed to enacting laws that would strengthen the education sector.
Jatau also acknowledged Governor Abdullahi Sule’s efforts towards improving education in Nasarawa State.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala, appreciated the Speaker and stakeholders for their participation in the public hearing.
Bala said the proposed legislation, if passed, would ensure that private schools operate in accordance with recognised educational standards and global best practices.
He stressed that education remained a critical driver of national development, noting that no nation could achieve sustainable progress without a sound educational foundation.
“This bill, if passed, would tackle quackery and promote quality and sound education in the state,” he said.
The committee chairman further appreciated the contributions of educationists and other stakeholders, assuring them that their recommendations would be carefully considered in the legislative process to ensure the emergence of an effective law.
Among those who participated in the public hearing were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hajiya Khadijat Suleiman; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary and Technical Education, Dr. Damina John Ali; and Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kassim Mohammed Kassim.
Others included Mr. Odey Elijah of the Nasarawa State Education Trust Fund; Deputy Rector, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Dr. Vincent Aya; and Dr. Kwakipi Akodos Egga of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Mr. Bello Hamidu Kwara; Chairman of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr. Aloko Williams; Chairman of the Nasarawa State Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Mr. David Habila; and Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lafia Branch, Alaku Dennis Dauda, Esq.
Other participants included the Chairperson of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), Hajiya Amira Mbia; Permanent Member One of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Mr. Abdullahi Amwe; and Mr. Ogah Omaku Ogiri of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), among others.
The stakeholders expressed support for the proposed legislation, describing it as timely and necessary in view of the growing number of private educational institutions across Nasarawa State.
They maintained that effective regulation would help eliminate unqualified operators, strengthen accountability, improve teaching and learning conditions, and promote quality education.
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The stakeholders also pledged their support for efforts to establish a regulatory framework that would ensure private schools meet the required standards before commencing operations and maintain compliance with educational guidelines.
The public hearing provided an opportunity for relevant institutions, professional bodies, school proprietors, parents and other stakeholders to contribute to the proposed legislation, which is expected to strengthen the regulation and delivery of education across Nasarawa State.