FG INTRODUCES NEW POLICY TO REGULATE NON-STATE SCHOOLS

By: Hauwa Mahmud Madugu

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a new policy aimed at regulating non-state schools across the country. The policy seeks to improve education quality and ensure accountability in schools that operate outside direct government control.

The new framework, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), sets clear standards for infrastructure, curriculum delivery, and teacher qualifications in non-state schools. These schools include faith-based schools, privately owned schools, homeschooling arrangements, tutorial and adult learning centers, voluntary or charity-run schools, and community-based schools.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the policy outlines guidelines for non-state schools and provides a framework for collaboration between these schools and the government. In his words, “the policy outlines clear guidelines for non-state schools, including standards for infrastructure, teacher quality, and curriculum delivery.”

According to the Minster, the policy is part of President Bola Tinubu’s National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which aims to reposition education as a central pillar of national development.

The policy document also comes with immense benefits for non-state schools as Private operators who enroll out-of-school children will receive indirect reimbursements from the government while Privately owned early childhood centers will be eligible for grants and education vouchers through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

However, the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ronke Soyombo revealed that over 85% of private school teachers are currently unregistered and that the TRCN will begin enforcing registration, certification, and licensing for non-state school teachers nationwide. “In readiness to address the implementation of the non-state schools policy, the TRCN are taking steps to make registration, certification, and licensing seamless for non-state school teachers,” Dr. Soyombo said.