The Senate has passed a bill for its first reading, introducing stringent measures to ensure that parents fulfill their duty of providing primary and secondary school education to their children.
According to Senator Orji Kalu’s bill titled “Compulsory free Universal Basic Education Act 2004, Section 2,” every child of primary and junior secondary school age in Nigeria should receive “free, compulsory, and universal basic education.” The bill emphasizes the government’s collective responsibility in this endeavor.
The bill also states, “Every parent shall ensure that his child or ward attends and completes his primary school education and junior secondary school education by endeavoring to send the child to primary and junior secondary schools.”
It further emphasizes the collective duty of local stakeholders in education to ensure that parents or guardians fulfill their responsibilities under this legislation.
In the case of non-compliance, the bill prescribes penalties. “On a second conviction,” the bill originally recommended a fine of N2,000 or “imprisonment for a term of one month or both; and on subsequent conviction, to a fine of N5,000 or imprisonment for a term of two months or to both.” However, the Senate has proposed significant changes to these penalties, raising the fines considerably.
In the amended version, the bill suggests, “Section (4) (b) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N2,000 and inserting N20,000. Section (4) (c) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N5,000 and inserting N50,000.” It also adds, “Section 3(2) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N10,000 and inserting N100,000.”
This implies that parents who fail to meet their obligations may face a fine of N20,000 for a second conviction and N50,000 for subsequent convictions. The bill also proposes a substantial increase in the fine for anyone who receives or obtains any fee contrary to the law’s provisions. Instead of the previous N10,000, it recommends N100,000.
This legislative effort underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that all children in Nigeria receive quality education, with a strong focus on parental responsibility.
The proposed fines are intended to serve as a deterrent, motivating parents to fulfill their obligation of providing their children with primary and secondary school education.
| Sahara Reporters
