Private school owners in Edo State have called on the state government to create an enabling environment for a smooth transition from formal education to a skills-based curriculum. The appeal was made on Tuesday by members of the Coalition of Association of Private Schools during a consultative town hall meeting in Benin City.
The state government recently introduced a directive requiring junior secondary students to receive practical skills training and entrepreneurship education. Upon completion, students will earn a Skills Acquisition Certificate alongside their Basic Education Certificate Examination results.
At the meeting, the coalition—which includes the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), Association for Formidable Education Development (AFED), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, and the Association of Model Islamic Schools—stressed that implementing the curriculum cannot be a one-sided directive. They argued that private school stakeholders, who operate most schools in the state, must be actively engaged in the process.
Dr. Osagie Erhunmwunse, State Controller of AFED, noted that policy must meet three key criteria: objectivity, inclusivity, and practicality. “For you to make a policy, you have to realise that you are not serving one sector of society. You need everybody on board,” he said. He added that government must outline practical support to help schools transition effectively.
Dr. Ngozi Emuen, chairman of APSON, also raised concerns over excessive levies on private schools. She highlighted that proprietors currently pay approximately nine different charges, including fumigation fees, and noted that ten schools have already been put up for sale due to financial strain.
The coalition emphasized that private school owners need early consultation on education reforms to ensure effective implementation. They urged the government to engage stakeholders continuously rather than issuing top-down directives, ensuring the new skills-based curriculum benefits both students and schools.