Kano Mandates Annual Licence Renewal for Private Schools

The Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board has announced that all private schools in Kano must renew their operating licences annually, with a fee set at N6,000. Baba Abubakar-Umar, the Executive Secretary of the board, made this announcement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

Previously, licences required triennial renewal, but a recent legal amendment under Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf's initiative for quality education has changed this to an annual requirement. Abubakar-Umar emphasized the importance of maintaining strict educational standards, including qualified manpower and adequate facilities, during the inspection process for new schools.

He urged school proprietors with expired permits to renew them by the end of the month, warning that defaulters would face sanctions. Additionally, he cautioned against arbitrary fee increases, stating that any fee reviews must involve an active Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to ensure fairness and affordability for parents, considering current economic conditions.