Education: NAPPS Akwanga Chapter Moves to Enforce Minimum Standards Across Private Schools
Education: NAPPS Akwanga Chapter Moves to Enforce Minimum Standards Across Private Schools
TEC News| Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Akwanga Chapter in Nasarawa State, has concluded plans to begin a comprehensive compliance exercise aimed at enforcing minimum operational standards among private schools within the local government area.
The initiative, which has been under discussion for over a year by the chapter’s leadership, is in response to growing pressure from relevant government agencies demanding that schools improve their infrastructure and meet basic regulatory requirements. These include providing conducive learning environments, functional toilet facilities for both learners and staff, well-ventilated classrooms, avoiding class combinations, and ensuring compliance with tax obligations.
According to the association, the exercise will also cover verification of school registration with both NAPPS and the Government, Teachers Qualifications, Other Infrastructures, Payment of Annual Dues and Levies, and other necessary records etc.
A task force comprising respected members and past leaders of the association has already been constituted to lead this operation. The task force will be coordinated by Apostle Johnson Da-Silva, a former NAPPS Chapter Chairman and North Central Secretary, with on-field leadership to be provided by Pst Christopher Equere.
Speaking on the development, NAPPS Akwanga Chapter Coordinator, Mrs. Joy Ogah, emphasized the urgency of the initiative.
“It is no longer business as usual. Enough of non-members soiling the name of NAPPS, and even among our members, it is embarrassing to see defaults that is not attended after a long time. We must fix our schools and ensure basic standards are met. We must not necessarily wait for our regulatory body to come and start clamping down us before we do the right thing. They believe in the Association and we are not ready to betray the trust. I believe in the team — they will do a good job,” she stated.
In his remarks, Task Force Coordinator, Apostle Da-Silva acknowledged the challenges school proprietors face, especially in the current economic climate.
“While we are mindful of the economic hardship and understand that many schools are struggling, we must not compromise on basic education standards. Those making efforts are appreciated, and even financially-stranded schools have been instructed to slightly increase school fees to a certain minimum , including those in the villages to enable them meet up a bit with high cost of materials and general inflations. Therefore, every school must meet minimum requirements and pay their taxes and dues,” he said.
The assistant coordinator of NAPPS Akwanga, who also doubles as the task force chairman but is currently indisposed, Honorable Ahmadu Abubakar expressed confidence in the task force’s leadership. He affirmed that the team will work diligently under the coordination of Apostle Da-Silva.
On-field task force leader, Pst Christopher Equere , while outlining the operational approach, stressed that the team’s goal is not to witch-hunt but to help schools improve and maintain good perception of stakeholders .
“Our mission is to support one another in raising standards and reduce confrontations with supervisory bodies. Our learners, parents, and communities deserve quality education in a conducive environment. Schools have been advised multiple times to update their facilities and financial records,” he noted.
“Claims such as the proprietor being unavailable will not be an acceptable excuse. Schools known to be in compliance may not be visited, but defaulters will face fines and other sanctions, including possible shutdowns, especially if found to be defiant or evasive.”
During the interview, Chapter Coordinator Mrs. Ogah expressed frustration over internal challenges, noting that some individuals had reportedly attempted to undermine her mediation efforts with external agencies — a duty she maintains falls squarely within the responsibilities of the association’s leadership.
Despite the tensions, she remains optimistic.
“We can manage ourselves effectively if everyone does what is right. Hopefully, the unnecessary external aggression will also be addressed,” she concluded.
As announced in the Chapter just concluded Congress held in NAPPS Akwanga Secretariat along Jos Road Akwanga on Tuesday where members were further sensitized by the Task Force Coordinator, the enforcement exercise is expected to commence imminently, as NAPPS Akwanga intensifies its commitment to raising educational standards across private schools in the area.
TEC News shall update the public as the exercise continues.
TEC News Quote of the Day
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”
– Albert Einstein
Adverts
