By Caleb Ayansina

ABUJA – PROPRIETORS of Private Schools across the country have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate political will to improve the standard of education in Nigeria. The National President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Dr. Sally Bolujoko said education system is gradually collapsing and most of the officials saddled with the responsibility of managing its resourses are nonchalant, because they have no stake in the system.

Bolujoko, who was speaking in an interview after addressing members of NAPPS in the North Central Geopolitical Zone, in Abuja, consequently, called on government to make it mandatory for public office holders not to have offsprings in any private school at home or abroad if they are to serve.

According to her, it is only when this is done, that those who hold leadership position will pay serious attention to the development of education system in the country.

“There should be political will to reposition education to the position it was in the 60s and 70s, the government should give qualitative budget to education, and ensure that they track that budget and implement it to achieve what it is meant for; refurbish schools and give good remuneration to teachers.

“They should ensure thorough supervision of the system and the teachers for optimum performance. Also, the government must insist that the public officials and civil servants  send their children to the public schools. That is what is done in Britain, USA, for them to have a stake in public school,” she said.

In his remarks, the Zonal President of NAPPS, Joseph Nwoke, explained that the programme is to instill professionalism in their members to be able to complement the effort of the government to raise the standard of the education in the country.

He said that currently in country, private sector is the engine room of education sector, but it is so unfortunate that government at all levels has refused to acknowledge their contributions to the nation’s development.

Nwoke said; “One of the challenges, as far as we are concerned, is non-recognition of private education-providers by the government. In some states, the relationship between the government and the owners of private schools is not healthy. We want a situation, where the government will see private schools as partners in progress.”