The Federal Government has introduced a new policy to regulate non-state schools in Nigeria, aiming to improve education quality and ensure accountability in schools outside government control.
Supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the PLANE program, the policy sets standards for infrastructure, curriculum, and teacher qualifications across private, faith-based, charity, homeschooling, and community schools.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the move aligns with President Tinubu’s National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on transforming education into a tool for national development.
The policy offers incentives to private operators who enroll out-of-school children, including reimbursements and access to education grants and vouchers via UBEC.
Meanwhile, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has raised concerns about teacher qualifications, stating that over 85% of private school teachers are unregistered. TRCN Registrar, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, said efforts are underway to enforce registration and licensing for all non-state school teachers.
