Posted by The federal government has pledged to investigate the recent fee increases in schools across the country by establishing a formal negotiation committee between the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and key parties.
On Friday, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, said this at a press conference in Abuja to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
According to Sununu, rising tuition costs are a major contributor to school shootings, so it’s important to investigate the issue in order to stop future massacres.
Many funding mechanisms are under fire, but it’s also important to consider the Constitution’s guarantees.
The Constitution guarantees free public education, but only “when the government can afford it,” thus all interested parties are expected to pitch in financially.
We must all do our part to ensure a secure learning environment in schools. Therefore, we will push for formal negotiations.
Where we are unable to provide a need, we will work with the PTA and other appropriate organizations to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution.
“Additionally, we shall promote numerous alliances in the sake of peace. Even if we disagree, we have to admit that PTAs play a crucial role in keeping many of our schools’ services running.
In order to make quality education accessible to all Nigerians at a price they can afford, he told NAN that his ministry was working to plug budget leaks and increase school funding.
The minister added that in December 2019 the federal government ratified the Safe School Declaration and established a safe school policy to protect students’ access to education during times of crisis.
He assured educators at all levels that the ministry will do its part to establish educational hubs in IDP camps and supply them with accurate data on security threats.