The Partnership for Education for All in Nigeria (PLANE) program, has urged Kaduna State Government to provide grants and lower taxes for non-state schools to increase access to basic education.
This is among other recommendations of the Socio-Demographic Survey and Graded Assessment of Non-State Schools Report in Kaduna State, supported by PLANE to strengthen the delivery of basic education by non-state schools.
Dr James Fadokun, Technical Lead on Governance of Non-State Systems, PLANE, who presented the report in Kaduna on Wednesday, also called for the equipment, record keeping training and infrastructure support to non-state schools.
Fadokun described non-state schools as “formal and non-formal schools owned and managed by private individuals, faith-based organizations, and non-governmental organizations.”
According to him, the contributions of non-state schools in the delivery of basic education in the state is immeasurable, adding that supporting such schools will significantly increase access to quality basic education.
“We want government to support a dynamic policy framework for non-state school providers so they can leverage resources and increase access and quality of education for the underprivileged.
“We equally want the government to support non-schools with funds to enhance the implementation of inclusive education at basic education level that protect the interest of children with disabilities.
“Specifically, the government should provide visual aids, hearing aids and other critical facilities to non-state schools to promote inclusive basic education.
“A downward review of the current guidelines for registration of non-state schools is also recommended to encourage non-state school owners to register.”
Fadokun also called on the government to provide free in-service training for instructors in private schools as part of state government efforts to invest in the future of its children.
He added that another recommendation was the integration of non-state Tsangaya (traditional Quranic School) with Islamic Quranic institutions.
“Relevant stakeholders – community, religious heads, parents, government, and educational institutions must all play a role in the pursuit of educational development in the state.
“Legislation for punitive measures, such as revocation of a school’s operating license for non –state schools violating relevant laws must be in place,” he added.
The technical lead further explained that the objective of the study was to compile socio-demographic information from the state’s ecosystem of unregistered non-state schools.
He said that the results of the survey would provide vital information that would help direct future interventions aimed at improving the effectiveness of non-state education systems in the state.
He said that the study was conducted in 371 schools across six PLANE implementing Local Government Areas namely Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Jaba, Sabon Gari, Sanga, and Soba.
He explained that the findings showed some gaps in funding, teacher quality and training, registration, infrastructure, health water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities among others.
PLANE Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor, Hajiya Umma Mohammed, also called on the government to implement the GESI safeguarding and disability inclusion minimum standards in all non-state schools.
Earlier, Ms Diana Agabi, PLANE State Team Lead, said that the dissemination of the report was to deliberate on the findings, facilitate a public private dialogue on the survey.
This, according to her, will inform policy development, public private partnership, regulation, and financing of private and Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education schools in Kaduna State.
Also, the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Halima Lawal, thanked PLANE for supporting the state to standardize the operation of non-state schools in the state.
Lawal, who was represented by her Special Assistant, Ms Zulai Rabiu pledged to work with development partners to improve the quality of basic education system delivery in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PLANE is a seven-year United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded program, designed to drive inclusive education and improve learning outcomes in Nigeria.
