Proprietors of private schools in Nasarawa State have expressed anxiety over the looming shutdown of 700 schools in Karu Local Government Area by the state government for being unable to meet the standard for establishment.
It was learnt that the schools in question lacked adequate facilities and conducive environments to teaching and learning.
According to the Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Karu, Mr. Salihu Iliyasu, who spoke to journalists recently, out of 1,300 private schools in the LGA, only 600 were granted formal approval by the state government to operate.
“About 15 proprietors have been denied approval,” he stated.
He affirmed that the other 700 private schools stood the risk of being shut by the state government for lacking adequate facilities and standard to operate, in addition to not meeting the criteria for establishment.
Investigations showed that there were over 10,000 private schools spread across the 13 LGAs in the state, topped by Lafia, the state capital.
It was gathered that most of the private schools running nursery, primary and secondary education not only fell short of the standard, but lacked sufficient space, sporting facilities, toilets, security, sanitation, and optimal locations, among others.
It was further learnt that the schools took undue advantage of lack of academic standards in public schools and overcrowding because of the free education policy of Governor Umaru Al-Makura in the state by imposing exorbitant fees and transportation cost.
The state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Ramatu Ajuji, reacting in a telephone interview on Saturday, however, said she had no knowledge of the planned closure of the 700 private schools.
She said, “I am not aware that government is shutting 700 private schools in the state. As I speak, I am in Mecca. I am not aware of anything like that.’’
