By Atlantic Reports

The Kano State Private and Voluntary Schools Management Board has begun revalidating and recertifying private and voluntary educational institutions, warning that schools failing to comply face temporary closure.

The board’s Executive Secretary, Mr Baba Abubakar-Umar, announced the exercise on Monday, saying it would update school records, enforce regulatory requirements and address operational irregularities.

He said free registration forms had been distributed to proprietors to support data collection.

According to Abubakar-Umar, the continuing exercise follows a revision of the regulatory law by the Kano State House of Assembly, which received the governor’s assent in August. He urged school owners to obtain copies and familiarise themselves with its provisions.

The board also warned against arbitrary fee increases. Abubakar-Umar said any proposed increase must receive prior approval and could take effect only at the beginning of an academic session.

For parents, the directive is intended to provide greater predictability over education costs and prevent schools from introducing unapproved charges.

“Furthermore, schools are prohibited from forcing parents to purchase books, uniforms or sandals exclusively from them if those items are available in the open market,” he said.

He also directed schools to establish registered Parent-Teacher Associations, follow the approved curriculum and refrain from arbitrarily expelling pupils because of disputes with their parents.

The warning on expulsions places pupils’ continued education at the centre of disagreements between families and school management.

Abubakar-Umar urged parents to pay fees promptly, acknowledging that schools needed income to meet their operating costs.

He assured compliant institutions of the board’s support and encouraged proprietors to report officials suspected of corruption for investigation and, where wrongdoing was established, sanctions.

The announcement did not specify a compliance deadline, the procedure for reopening temporarily closed schools or arrangements to prevent disruption to pupils’ learning.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.