Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-03-30 15:05:46
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, has expressed concern over the imposition of a 5% annual tax on private schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. According to NAPPS, this tax would be damaging to the business of private schools and could potentially force them out of business altogether. The association had previously voiced its opposition to this measure when it was first announced in January by the Department of Quality Assurance of FCT’s Education Secretariat.
Under this tax regime, each school would be taxed based on the level of tuition fees paid by students and the number of children enrolled in the school. Rukayat Agboola, the FCT chairperson of NAPPS, stated that despite their rejection of the tax, the Education Secretariat had not responded to their concerns. Instead, the secretariat had issued a circular stating that they would revert to the old dues and advised schools to start clearing any outstanding debts from those dues.
Mrs. Agboola expressed dissatisfaction with this development, arguing that private school owners should receive government grants to support the education of indigent students instead of facing additional taxes. She emphasized that schools, especially those in rural areas without government support, play a crucial role in providing access to education for children in those communities.
The proposed tax would not only burden school owners but also place additional financial strain on parents. Mrs. Agboola criticized the secretariat for focusing solely on school enrollment to determine taxes, without considering parents’ financial capabilities. She warned that if the tax were to be enforced, many private schools would struggle to stay in operation.
NAPPS called on the FCT Administration to reconsider the tax decision and instead provide support to private schools by improving infrastructure and supplying learning materials. Mrs. Agboola highlighted the contributions that private schools make to their communities, such as maintaining roads, providing water, and offering scholarships to needy students.
She urged the administration to allocate funds from the education budget to support all Nigerian children, including those in private schools. This assistance could come in various forms, such as donating textbooks, educational resources, or improving school facilities. Mrs. Agboola stressed that schools charging low fees are particularly vulnerable and would benefit more from assistance than from additional taxes.
In conclusion, NAPPS remains steadfast in its opposition to the 5% tax on private schools in the FCT. The association advocates for government support to ensure the sustainability of private schools and access to quality education for all students. Mrs. Agboola reiterated the importance of investing in education and providing assistance to schools in need, rather than imposing taxes that could jeopardize their existence.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
