The licences of all private schools in Yobe has been revoked by the state government.
The state government directed operators interested in following the laid rules and regulations to re-apply for new licences.
According to the state government, activities of all private schools in the state will henceforth tally with that of public schools and proprietors will no longer be allowed to operate and set rules that violate the norms and values of the state.
The State’s Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Muhammad Sani Idriss, who made the announcement during a meeting with proprietors of private schools at Government Girls Unity College Damaturu, added that the era of taking shortcuts in the registration of private schools is over.
He said;
“We have cancelled the licences so that we would renew them. There was a time when some of the private schools were licensed but with the condition that they would meet some standard, but they have failed to meet up with this standard and they are still operating and the licences are with them.
“So, if you must operate a private school in Yobe State, you must play the game by its rules. That is why we decided to scrap and cancel all the licences. We are saying that you should re-apply and within a period of 30 days, you have your licences.
“Mind you, we have not closed any private schools but what we are saying is that any private school that is not licensed henceforth is not ready to play the game by its rules.
“What we have done is licences have been revoked, you can operate for a period of one month, come to us and purchase the form, we will assess your school and if you are qualified within a period of 30 days, you have backed your licence to operate and we are going to write all facts that we have to cancel all the licences owned by private schools. Therefore, parents should take note that we are going to also communicate with WAEC.”
The commissioner also said Yobe State government has approved dual curricular in all public schools. Idriss who also stated that the policy will be applied in private schools for interested children to memorize Qur’an and learn Arabic Language, added that if a student or pupil is not interested in such, then they will have to learn French instead, so that they can graduate with at least two languages apart from their mother tongue.