1st June, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Call has gone to the governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun to support private schools in the state to complement his administration education policy.
Th governor was advised to lend hand of support to registered private schools in the state and to ensure that those unregistered are close down and punished.
Alhaja Ganiyat Bolanle Taiwo, proprietress, Nasrullahi Nursery and Primary private schools, Isalu-Ilugun and Imala, both in Abeokuta North local government area of the state made the call while speaking with our correspondent in Abeokuta.
She posited that since the registered private school owners in the state are paying all taxes, they should benefit some incentives from the government.
“The present administration in Ogun state has done well by improving the standard of education in the state. In all the budget presented so far by the Amosun administration, education have the highest cut, which has reflected in the grades.
“Private schools in the state have contributed to the development of education but if given more support by the government, they can do more than this.
“We need support from the state government. We pay renewal fees, taxes and other levies to the government but nothing is coming from their side to support us.
“They can give us loans to boost our institution, truly, some of us are already rich before establishing our schools but if we look at the percentage, they are not up to 40 per cent. Others need loans,” she said.
The retired secondary school teacher opined that owners of private schools have gone a long way to support the government by providing jobs, a key policy of the present administration.
She called for strict punishment for unregistered private schools across the state, which according to her, as contributed to the challenges registered private schools face.
Alhaja Taiwo suggested that government should constitute a workable task force to ensure that these schools are shut.
Alhaja Taiwo also advised parents to always thrive to assist their children in pursuit for education, adding that, education remains the best legacy to bequeath a child.
She expressed appreciation to some philanthropists who are sponsoring some brilliant students, whose parents are not financially capable, calling on others to emulate them, so as to reduce the number of drop outs in schools, both public and the private.
“Some well to do citizens need to assist those that are not financially okay by sponsoring their children. In my school, for example, some students are sponsored by some well to do men in the society. I also give scholarship to almost five students, all this is geared towards alleviating poverty and setting in motion the future leaders.
“Failure to do that now may spell doom for the nation as the future belongs to them. Education is very important and government alone should not be left alone to handle it, we must support them in our own little way as this will go a long way to improve the literacy growth in the state,” Alhaja Taiwo posited.