The Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Branch has commended the Soludo administration for its educational reforms, including free and compulsory education and employments of merit-based teachers. Banning of Cultural, Graduation and Christmas parties that turned as conduit pipe for extortions and exploitations.
However, CLO says these gains will be defeated if the state government fails to call Mission and Private school proprietors to order over outrageous school fees.
In a statement issued in Awka and signed by Chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, and Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah, CLO said it has received numerous complaints from parents.
The group cited a case of an indigent widow whose child was asked to pay over ₦700,000 to enter SSS1, while new students are charged between ₦800,000 and ₦1,000,000, which most the parents cannot afford, thereby defeating the good intention of government in handing of schools to Missions.
When you ask them that Mr Governor has approved free education, you received agonizing and insulting response ” take your child to government school”. This is happening in schools that receive government salaries and funding.
“Is Mission education now law unto itself? Why does government pay salaries and allowances without regulatory power?” CLO asked.
CLO urged Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Education to carry out impromptu inspections and regulatory assessments of Mission and Private schools, and provide an immediate and permanent solution.
In the immutable assertion of Haile Slesssior “Inactions of those who should have known better and silence of voice of justice when it matters most has given evil power to triumph” CLO thereby seek immediate and urgent intervention of His Excellency to restore people’s confidence in ability of government to safeguard and protect her interest, ensure affordable and accessible education for citizens.
