By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Private primary and secondary schools in Anambra state yesterday embarked on a three day strike closing down there school on protest over multiple and illegal taxation by agents alleged to have been directed by the Anambra state government.
School children who were to commence their respective second term examination where asked to go home until Wednesday this week pending any other directives from the state chapter of the National Association Proprietors of Private Schools in the area.
When reporters visited private schools in Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia and Nnewi respectively parents and guardians expressed suprise over the development while school children whose relatives could not come early to take them home found resort in playing games at the school field.
Several calls where put accross to the Commissioner for Basic Education Prof Katie Omenugha for her to react to the incident could not connect as her phone was not reachable and later switched off.
According to Mrs Amaka Ezedebego who is the state chairman of the body who spoke through a member of the association Mr Chinazo Rapheal
The government of Anambra state have been imposing all manner of taxes and lavies on private schools in Anambra state running up to several billions of naira .
As I speak with you sir we are asked to pay business premesis which is not done any were and we are asked to pay#50,000 approval forms for private schools and before you get the approval you must have spent#200 000 and after that you now pay another#250,000 to be given approval letter.
We are always intimidated by government tax force who transload our school children from our bus to their bus and detain the children in their office until we come to pay#20, 000 for the branding of our school bus and after that we still pay#40,000 to #50,000 for school sign board.
Can you emergen that the fire Service department come to disturb us with payment of levies which is between#20,000 and #30,000 as well as environmental levy and the government has two agencies that come to demand all types of levies and when you refuse the thugs will attack our teachers and workers.
She further lamented that private schools were forced to pay the sum of#2,800 for the purchase of black plastic seats and tables before the conduct of WAEC examination and if you fall to pay your school will not sit for the examination.
Some Proprietors of Private Schools who spoke with reporters confirmed that the ripp off is too much and that it has always affected the cost of school fees which would be paid by their parents.
” How do you explain the payment of#100.00 by every pupil and student from private schools since last year? and #150,000 for examination books then renewal of registration fees to tune of#300.00
per school while public schools pay #30.00 ; one of them lamented.
Mrs Amaka Ezedebego noted that the strike is just a warning strike adding that if the issue is not addressed they would apply all means to resist the imposition.
“It is good to let you know that government is only collecting money from us and not giving us any patronage like they do to public and mission schools.
