The Owners of Private Schools Association of Nigeria, OPSAN, has appealed to the Anambra State Government to review the multiple taxes and levies demanded by its agencies from private school proprietors.
OPSAN National President, Prof Uzochukwu Nwanonyuo, made the appeal on Monday, during the inauguration of the association’s new Anambra state executive led by Chief Ernest Iwuamadi.
Nwanonyuo said that private schools should not be treated as a business venture but as an institution that offers social services for God and humanity.
He urged the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to urgently intervene and ease the affairs of private schools and exempt them from the challenges of multiple taxation, illegal levies and other unwarranted payments.
“Our major challenge in Anambra is the exorbitant taxes and levies. We call on the state government to address the matter urgently.
“Another challenge is the encroachment and harassment by a group called ‘Anambra State Joint Enforcement Unit’. “Their activities have been affecting quality education in the state.
“The government needs to make the regulatory unit understand that schools are not similar to the commercial environment. It requires decorum.”
In his remark, the new state president of OPSAN, Iwuamadi, lamented the marginalisation of private schools, stating that the government has exempted public schools and mission schools from multiple levies and taxes.
