Abuja: The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive policy on non-state schools, setting clear guidelines for infrastructure, teacher quality, curriculum delivery, and accountability standards. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy at an event in Abuja, emphasizing its aim to improve quality and promote greater accountability across Nigeria's education landscape.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the policy was developed with support from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme. Dr. Alausa stated that this initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu's broader National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which prioritizes education as a key driver of national development. He highlighted the critical role non-state schools play in expanding educational access, noting that these schools have grown by approximately 39 percent between 2017 and 2022.
The policy outlines minimum standards for infrastructure, curriculum, and teacher quality, providing a framework for collaboration between non-state providers and the government. Dr. Alausa announced government plans to roll out practical incentives for private school operators, including indirect reimbursement for enrolling out-of-school children, with implementation slated for the 2025-2026 academic session. Direct grants and vouchers will also be available through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to support privately owned early childhood development centers.
Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, Mr. Ian Attfield, commended Nigeria's commitment to addressing educational needs. He referenced research by UK academic Prof. James Tooley, which highlighted the rise of private schools due to the gap in government provision. Attfield noted that the UK has long partnered with Nigeria to develop progressive education policies, particularly as urban growth in cities like Lagos outpaces public school expansion.
The Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ronke Soyombo, revealed that over 85 percent of those in the teaching profession are not registered. The new policy mandates that non-state school teachers must be registered, certified, and licensed by TRCN. Dr. Soyombo assured that the TRCN is working to streamline registration, certification, and licensing for non-state school teachers nationwide.
NAN reports that the policy includes robust quality assurance measures and aims to hold non-state schools accountable for performance and transparency. Non-state schools in Nigeria encompass faith-based institutions, private schools, home schooling centers, tutorial/adult learning centers, voluntary/charity schools, and community schools.