To ensure conformity of teaching, the Yobe State government says that activities of all private schools in the state have to tally with that of public schools; as such it has revoked the licenses of all private schools in the state.
Dr. Muhammad Sani Idriss, State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, who disclosed this during a meeting with proprietors of private schools held at Government Girls Unity College Damaturu, on Thursday, added that no private school will operate without a license and the era of taking shortcuts in the registration of private schools is over.
He asked interested operators to re-apply for new licenses, saying that the proprietors would no longer be allowed to operate and set rules that violate the norms and values of the state.
Idriss who frowned at the policies of some private schools that violate the norms and values of the people of the state, stated that the Yobe State government has taken measures to have absolute control of the education system in the state.
“We have canceled the licenses so that we can renew them. There was a time when some of the private schools were licensed but with the condition that they would meet some standard, but they have failed to meet this standard and they are still operating and the licenses are with them.
“So, if you must operate a private school in Yobe State, you must play the game by its rules. That is why we decided to scrap and cancel all the licenses. We are saying that you should re-apply and within 30 days, you have your licenses.
“Mind you, we have not closed any private schools but we are saying that any private school that is not licensed henceforth is not ready to play the game by its rules.
“What we have done is licenses have been revoked, you can operate for one month, come to us and purchase the form, we will assess your school and if you are qualified within 30 days, you have backed your license to operate and we are going to write all facts that we have to cancel all the licenses owned by private schools. Therefore, parents should note that we will also communicate with WAEC,” the Commissioner said.
He noted that the State government has approved dual curricula in all public schools and said the policy will also be applied in private schools for interested children to memorize the Qur’an and learn the Arabic Language.
“If a student or pupil is not interested in such, then they will have to learn French instead so that they can graduate with at least two languages apart from their mother tongue,” he added.
Also speaking, Alhaji Maina Digma Gana, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and member representing Damagum Constituency in the state House of Assembly assured that the state legislature would support any move geared towards imparting standard knowledge to the upcoming generations.
On their part, some of the proprietors who spoke to newsmen after the meeting advised the government to make the upcoming licensing process flexible and quick, devoid of bureaucracy.
