NGO Advocates inclusive Funding for Private Schools in Nigeria.
TEC News
Center for Educational Empowerment and Orientation, CEEO Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday 9th November, 2024 is advocating for Including funding for Private Schools in Nigeria.
This was communicated through the lecture delivered by Dr Tunde Oke titled ‘Inclusive Funding for the Private Education Sector: An Imperative for the Actualization of the UN SDG 4’.
Dr Tunde Oke who is a lecturer from the Faculty of Education, Nasarawa State University, Keffi gave step by step tips on how government can aid Private Schools in Nigeria. Part of his lecture says;
“How can the Nigeria government assist the private education sector in actualizing the UN SDG 4?
The Nigerian government can play a pivotal role in assisting private school owners in overcoming the challenges they face while enhancing the overall quality of education in the private sector. There are several ways the government can provide support, ranging from financial incentives to policy reforms that address key barriers to growth and development in private education, thereby helping in meeting the UN SDG 4
1. Provision of Financial Incentives and Subsidies
Tax Incentives: The government can offer tax breaks, exemptions, or reductions for private school owners to reduce operational costs.
Grants and Subsidies: The government can provide targeted grants to private schools, especially those in underserved or rural areas. These grants could improve infrastructure, hire qualified teachers, or provide learning materials.
Low-Interest Loans: Access to affordable loans is a significant barrier for private schools looking to expand or improve their facilities. The government could work with financial institutions to offer low-interest loans specifically for educational institutions.
2. Improvement of the Regulatory Environment
Ease of Approval Processes: One of the key hurdles for private schools is navigating the complex and often slow approval processes. The government could streamline these processes, making it easier for private school owners to open and maintain their institutions.
Clear Standards and Policies: The government can help by providing clear and consistent educational standards for private schools. These standards would guide private schools’ curriculum development, teacher qualifications, and student welfare.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The government can encourage collaboration between the public and private education sectors. Private schools can access public funding or resources to enhance their operations through PPPs.
3. Infrastructure Development Support
Provision of Land and Infrastructure: The government could make land available at subsidized rates for private schools, particularly in areas lacking education infrastructure.
Development of Transport and Accessibility: In rural areas, private school owners often face challenges related to accessibility, both in terms of transportation for students and the availability of basic infrastructure. The government could support private schools by improving road networks and public transportation systems to ensure students can reach private schools safely and efficiently.
4. Capacity Building and Teacher Training
Professional Development Programs: The government can partner with private schools to offer teachers professional development and training programs. These could include workshops, seminars, and certification programs to help teachers stay updated on modern teaching methodologies, inclusive education practices, and educational technologies.
Teacher Exchange Programs: The government can organize exchange programs where public and private school teachers can share best practices. This would help raise the overall teaching standards across both sectors.
5. Promotion of Inclusive Education
Incentives for Inclusive Education: The government could provide financial or technical support to private schools that invest in inclusive education, such as building accessible facilities for children with disabilities or offering specialized training for educators working with special needs students.
Subsidies for Assistive Technology: Many private schools face difficulties acquiring assistive technologies for students with disabilities (e.g., hearing aids, Braille materials, or speech-to-text software). The government could collaborate with technology providers to offer subsidies or funding for schools that want to integrate such technologies into their classrooms.
Awareness Campaigns: The government can lead campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive education and encourage private schools to adopt policies that promote diversity and inclusivity.
6. Support for Educational Research and Innovation
Grants for Educational Research: The government could provide grants for research and innovation in education. This would allow private schools to experiment with new teaching methods, digital learning tools, and curricula that could improve the quality of education. Schools could be encouraged to focus on educational outcomes, technology-driven learning, and innovative pedagogical approaches.
Promotion of STEM and Vocational Education: The government can support private schools that prioritize the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects or vocational education programs. This can be done through targeted funding, equipment donations, and partnerships with STEM-related organizations to enhance the capacity of private schools to teach these subjects.
7. Encouraging Social Impact and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Incentives for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives: Many private schools can collaborate with corporate entities to improve their educational offerings, mainly through CSR initiatives. The government can encourage this by offering tax breaks or other incentives to companies that donate funds, materials, or expertise to private schools, particularly those in underserved regions.
Support for Schools in Underserved Communities: The government could prioritize funding for private schools that serve low-income, rural, or marginalized communities. Schools that provide affordable or scholarship-based education to these groups could be eligible for government subsidies, grants, or public recognition.
8. Creating a Stable Policy Environment
Long-Term Policy Commitment: Stability in educational policies is key for the success of private schools. The government should ensure that policies related to private education are consistent, predictable, and aligned with national development goals. This would give private school owners confidence in long-term planning and investment in their institutions.
Advocacy and Representation: The government can support the establishment of industry associations or bodies that represent the interests of private school owners. These organizations can engage in advocacy efforts for better policies, funding, and regulatory reforms that support the growth of private education.
Conclusion
The Nigerian government can significantly contribute to the growth and sustainability of private schools by addressing key challenges such as funding, infrastructure, teacher training, regulatory support, and promoting inclusivity. By offering financial incentives, creating a more supportive regulatory environment, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, the government can help private school owners improve educational standards and make education more accessible to all Nigerians. Ultimately, this would enhance the actualisation of UN SDG 4 by ensuring that private schools can effectively meet the growing population’s needs and improve the country’s education quality”.
Center for Educational Empowerment and Orientation, CEEO Nigeria is a Non Governmental Organization that is committed towards qualitative education and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Oyebisi DavidCrown reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the programs of the NGO is actualized.
The AGM has the induction of Executive Partners in two batches, 2 Paper Presentations and presentation of a New President of Board of Trustee, Mrs Bankole and other BOT Members by the Advisory Board and has dignitaries from 5 states of the North Central, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The BOT members and the Executive Partners pledge their commitments to the realization of the NGO’s vision.