An educationist, Mr Yomi Otubela, has urged governments at all levels to appreciate and support the contributions of private educational institutions in the provision of quality education in Nigeria.
Mr Yomi Otubela, Proprietor of Lagooz Schools, Agege, Lagos, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
Otubela, who is the National Deputy President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), stressed the need for government to recognise the importance of private schools in the growth and development of quality education.
“But they still see us as business people as against the social service that we provide.
“They should see us as partners in progress and accord us the necessary support, in terms of low-interest loans and education grants.
“These will help develop our infrastructure and improve quality,’’ the proprietor said.
He suggested that the Federal Government should set up education bank, where private schools can access low-interest loans and grants.
“There is the need to set up an education bank, just like we have the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture.
“Children in our schools are also Nigerian children and they deserve government support and encouragement.’’
“What is required to grow Nigeria’s economy has gone beyond certificates and government must show serious interest in technical education and skills acquisition.
“Some pupils are good in the cognate aspect of education, while others are good in the effective aspect, which mainly deals with technical education and skills acquisition.
“Government needs to return to the original concept of the 6-3-3-4 educational system, which places high premium on technical and vocational education at the Junior Secondary School level,’’ Otubela advised.
He also advised parents to show more interest in the moral and educational well-being of their children.
“The input of parents in the moral and educational well-being of their children is very important.
“They should shun excessive drive for materialism and always be available to help their children with homework and assignment.
“Parents should also monitor their general conduct,’’ he said.
He said NAPPS was making efforts to raise and sustain high quality standard of education in private schools.
“We are urging the government to improve its regulatory and quality control measures in the sector.
“At NAPPS, we ensure that our members adhere to the minimum acceptable standard of education.
“We even set a model of how schools should be run and we do not accept mushroom private schools.
“Government, however, has the mandate of regulating quality and we urge them to improve on that function to discourage mushroom private schools.’’
