In a significant move, the Nigerian Senate has introduced a bill, slated for its first reading, which recommends a fine of N50,000 for parents who fail to ensure that their children receive primary and secondary school education. Furthermore, the Senate has proposed the provision of free meals to all school-going children across the country.
This legislative proposal, championed by Senator Orji Kalu and titled “Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004, Section 2,” underscores the importance of providing free, mandatory, and universal basic education to every child of primary and junior secondary school age in Nigeria.
According to reports by PUNCH, the Act outlines that “Every parent shall ensure that his child or ward attends and completes his primary school education and junior secondary school education by endeavoring to send the child to primary and junior secondary schools.”
Furthermore, the Act emphasizes the role of education stakeholders in a local government area in ensuring that every parent or guardian upholds their responsibilities under Section 2(2) of this Act.
The Act specifies that parents who contravene these obligations should, on their first conviction, receive a reprimand. For a second conviction, they would face a fine of N2,000 or imprisonment for one month, or both. Subsequent convictions could lead to a fine of N5,000 or imprisonment for two months, or both.
However, the Senate, in its proposed amendment, suggests much higher fines, replacing the N5,000 penalty with a hefty N50,000 fine. The amendment reads, “Section (4) (b) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N2,000 and inserting N20,000. Section (4) (c) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N5,000 and inserting N50,000.”
Additionally, it states, “Section 3(2) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N10,000 and inserting N100,000.”
The Senate’s stance is clear: they intend to impose more significant penalties to ensure compliance with children’s education. It is important to note that the Senate’s proposed amendments reflect the government’s commitment to compulsory, accessible education for all children in Nigeria, and they aim to hold parents and guardians accountable for fulfilling this vital educational obligation.