Education stakeholders are urging immediate government policy intervention to reduce operational expenses for private schools.
Yomi Otubela, the president of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), highlighted the impact of inflation on private schools.
In a Sunday interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, he emphasised the urgent need for policies to subsidise access to teaching resources and reduce taxes on educational materials.
Otubela added that these policies would offer concessional interest rates on loans for members and called for collaborations to enhance access to technology.
“We believe that significant support grants from governments to private schools will help decrease the number of over 18 million out-of-school children in Nigeria,” he said.
Otubela pointed out that many schools in the association are implementing flexible payment plans and working closely with parents to ensure that financial difficulties do not hinder children’s education.
He stated that NAPPS strives to balance delivering quality education and being mindful of current economic conditions.
“We hope the government will increase funding for teacher training programs and provide financial incentives for schools to improve infrastructure,” Otubela stressed.
“This partnership will not only alleviate the burden on private schools but also ensure that Nigerian students, regardless of their background, receive a world-class education.”
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