Bauchi inaugurates taskforce to address issues of unregistered, proliferation of private schools

By Apex News Exclusive Last updated Oct 16, 2024

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Group photograph of members of the Taskforce with the Education Commissioner, Dr Jamila Mohammed Dahiru

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Bauchi State Government has constituted a Taskforce Committee to address the problems associated with the proliferation of unregistered Private Schools and non-compliance with the state guidelines.

Inaugurating the Committee on Tuesday at Conference Hall of the Ministry of Education, the State Commissioner of Education, Dr Jamila Mohammed Dahiru said that the decision followed a townhall meeting convened with Proprietors of such schools, their Association and other stakeholders in the state.

She also said that the terms of reference of the Committee include: identification of unregistered schools in the state, inspection visit to the affected schools, instant judgment through a Mobile Court, and tracking of compliance henceforth.

According to her, the Taskforce is also empowered to take any action towards enhancing compliance to Private Schools Guidelines and Co-opting of any person that may assist in discharging its assignment.

The Committee has the Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation, Alhaji Yakubu Hamza and Permanent Secretary, SUBEB, as Co- Chairmen, Chairman State Assembly Committee on Education, Member, the 20 Local Education Secretaries as Members, 3 Directors each from the Ministry of Education and SUBEB as Members, 2 State Chairmen of NAPSS and APSON as members, State Chairmen, SBMC and PTA members.

Others are: representatives of Ministries of Religious Affairs, Women Affairs, Justice, Information and Communication, representatives of 6 Emirate Councils, while the Head of Private Schools would serve as Secretary.

This Taskforce is expected to play a vital role in ensuring compliance with legal and educational standards in Bauchi State’s private education sector as a bold move to regulate the private education sector in the state.