The Kano State government is taking a stand against the unjust increase in school fees and the improper sale of books by private school proprietors.

Baba Umar, the special adviser to the Kano State governor on private and voluntary schools, issued a stern warning to those involved, stating that the government would not tolerate such exploitation.

Addressing the issue in his office in Kano, Umar emphasized, “Henceforth, no proprietor is allowed to either unilaterally increase school fees without following the laid down procedures, or force parents to buy books and uniforms from their school.”

He added that those who criticize the government’s efforts to curb these excesses are simply trying to protect their illegal activities.

Umar also pointed out that any proprietor dissatisfied with the government’s measures should seek legal remedies.

The government has gone a step further by threatening to revoke the licenses of private school operators who do not complete and return the recently issued revalidated forms.

These forms are essential for the government to maintain accurate records of students attending private schools.

Umar revealed that out of the more than 7,000 public schools in Kano, only 2,000 had complied by filling and submitting their forms.

He also highlighted a significant violation by private schools, stating that they were supposed to pay a 10 percent tax on the school fees they collect.

However, many proprietors have diverted these funds to personal accounts, rather than depositing them in the government’s account.