Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Honorable Wemi Jones, has commended proprietors of private schools operating in the state for their contributions to the growth and development of the state education sector.
He gave the commendation on Wednesday at the stakeholders meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS) in Lokoja.
The commissioner said the state recognized their contributions to the development of education and will ensure a conducive environment for their operations.
He promised to assist in addressing the issues of multiple taxation and other challenges raised by the associations.
For effective coordination and communication, the Commissioner advised all private schools operating in the state to register with NAPPS or AMIS.
The commissioner who reiterated the State Government positions on the customized textbooks, notebooks and graduation ceremonies said the new policies will sanitize the school system and restore the core values of education at the primary and secondary school levels.
On the customized textbooks and notebooks, the commissioner said that customized textbooks and notebooks would no longer be allowed in the school system, adding that in a situation where the textbooks or notebooks are customized, it must be sold at the prevailing market price and parents are not under any obligation to buy from the schools.
Honourable Jones noted that textbooks should be transferrable to younger siblings, explaining that parents should be made to provide separate notebooks for their children’s class work or homework rather than using textbooks as workbooks.
He informed the private schools of the introduction of the new school curriculum and promised to engage them on the implementation of the policy.
The Commissioner also reiterated the State Government Commitment to the implementation of the State Education Law, 2020 and advised them to get a copy of the law and familiarize themselves with every clause as ignorant of the law according to him will not be an excuse.
In his welcome address the Director Basic and Secondary Education Mr. Mathew Salami commended the private schools for their contributions to the development of education in the State and called for good working relationship with the Ministry for seamless implementation of the New Policies.
Responding, the State Chairman of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Pastor Reuben Jimoh commended the commissioner for his leadership quality and promised the cooperation of Private Schools to the implementation of the New Policies.
In her vote of thanks, the Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Mrs Omolayo Barikisu Onasare commended the commissioner for his commitment to duties and urged the participants to comply with the New Policies.
