By ISMAIL SULAIMAN

The Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (KSPVIB), has mandated annual operating license renewals for all private schools operating in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Malam Baba Abubakar-Umar, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Kano.

According to him, the annual operating licence fee is N6,000 only.

He said the schools were also expected to maintain strict educational standards.

Abubakar-Umar explained that the criteria for establishing a new school require a formal application, followed by a comprehensive inspection of proposed facilities.

During the inspection, he said, they give emphasis on qualified manpower, adequate facilities and adherence to the approved curriculum.

“We check benches, chairs, safety and welfare of the children, equipment, and the number of qualified teachers,” the executive secretary stated.

He noted that the operating licenses previously required triennial renewal before a recent legal amendment.

“Under Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s drive for quality education, the law was amended to mandate for annual license renewals,” he said.

He urged proprietors with expired permits to complete renewal processes before the end of the month, warning that defaulters would face immediate sanctions.

The executive secretary further warned private schools against arbitrary fee increments without valid justification.

“You cannot just start running a school and then increase fees every term; we will not accept any increment beyond parents’ capacity, considering current economic realities,” he warned.

He added that necessary fee reviews require an active Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) structure to negotiate fair terms between school authorities and guardians.

Abubakar-Umar urged proprietors to comply with all requirements to ensure safe, affordable and quality education for pupils in the state. (NAN)