Delta Govt Warns Private Schools Against Financial Exploitation, Curriculum Breach 

By Felix Evwihor

Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, has charged members of the Owners of Private Schools Association of Nigeria (OPSAN) to adhere to the National Policies on Education as domesticated in the State.

The commissioner gave the charge when the executive members of OPSAN, Asaba Chapter, led by their Chairman, Dr. Cheks Emmanuel, paid him a familiarisation visit in Asaba.

He expressed that many parents had been compelled to pay exorbitant fees, imposed by some schools for extracurricular activities, not out of willingness, but fear of their children been victimised.

The commissioner therefore, charged OPSAN to sensitize its members to desist from organising school programmes that impose unnecessary financial burdens on parents. He further warned that the Ministry would no longer tolerate any deviation from the approved curriculum, stressing that erring schools risk withdrawal of their operating licences.

Acknowledging the supportive roles of private schools in the education sector, Dr Ashibogwu, however ,urged operators to do more to sustain the cordial working relationship already established with the state government.

“As an Association, I urge you to enlighten your members to desist from practices capable of inflicting financial hardship on parents.

“Equally, failure to adhere strictly to the approved school curriculum will attract sanctions, such as withdrawal of licences,” Ashibogwu said.

He also charged private school owners to comply fully with the academic calendar approved by the State government for all schools.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of OPSAN, Sir Innocent Amiaka, said the visit was to familiarise themselves with the Commissioner and pledge their cooperation in advancing education excellence in the state.

On behalf of the members, he pledged the Association’s readiness to support the Ministry in delivering quality education to pupils in line with established rules and regulations.