Association of Private Schools’ Owners has called on Anambra State Ministry of Education to carry its members along in its policy and decision making.
Southeast President, Hon Ihuoma Ugochukwu who made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Ministry, also solicited for assistance in terms of finance, books, palliatives and other interventions.
He praised the Commissioner, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh for her numerous achievements in less than two years of office, promising the association’s support to move the education sector in the state forward.
He said, “During COVID-19 palava, we wrote to Federal Ministry of Education to ensure those of us in Southeast are remembered and they invited us and we were happy our appeal was granted.
“In 2015, we also wrote to the Ministry in the state to assist in alleviating the sufferings of our members, especially in approval of our records, and it was during your tenure that it was answered.
“We want to tell you that more than 200 schools have registered since you reduced the bureaucratic bottlenecks disturbing us in private schools. Your records of 2years had surpassed others.
“In 2015 when some private schools organised themselves to cause mayhem, threatening to embark on illegal strike, we rendered that move unsuccessful, a feat that was applauded by parents and stakeholders.
“We want you to involve us in policy making in the state. So many issues are begging for attention in private schools. If you go through some of our textbooks, many don’t have introductory parts and students are using them.
“We need to be compensated for employing teachers, we need some books, money and other palliatives to assist us to continue in our work.
“Again, we will be happy to have a meeting with other Southeast commissioners for us to know about our problems in the region. We’re ready to sponsor the meeting anywhere we agree.”
Responding, the Commissioner described education sector as tree with several branches, identifying Private Schools’ owners as one of the important branches.
She appreciated the team for their visit which said would spur her ministry towards continued progressive movement, just as she urged them to key into various initiatives of government.
She said, “This government is all inclusive and Mr. Governor wants to bring governance at door steps of everyone. He wants all children to be empowered, especially educationally.
“We’ve been reviewing the textbooks yearly, quite unlike what was obtainable in the past. We sample opinions of teachers on the approved books. Those which are not good in context and content, we’ll change them.
“We want to have data of all schools and students under your organization. The essence is for us to know the number of students and pulpils for any palliatives.
“The World Bank may also want to intervene in our school system. This data is very important to protect your schools.”
