Private school proprietors across Nigeria are intensifying calls for governmental intervention to ease tax burdens and improve welfare conditions for teachers. School owners argue that rising operational costs, coupled with heavy and often multiple taxation, are threatening the sustainability of private education — with implications for both educators and students.
What They Are Saying
• In Edo State, private school owners under the Coalition of Associations of Private Schools (CAPS) have protested what they describe as punitive personal income tax hikes. They warn that over 300,000 teaching staff are at risk of losing their jobs if the new tax regime, said to represent increases of anywhere from 200% to 4,000%, is allowed to stand.
• In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT/Abuja), the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has appealed to the FCT Minister to intervene over a 5% tax imposed on school fees by the Department of Quality Assurance. They describe it as an added burden to schools already struggling in a tough economic climate.
• Private school owners argue that many of the taxes and levies imposed — from income and fees-based taxations to levies for infrastructure, signage, inspection, accreditation, and renewal fees — are often multiple, sometimes duplicative, and do not properly consider the operating expenses inherent in running schools.
Why They Demand Relief
1. Cost of Operations Rising Sharply
Owners say that with inflation, costs of utilities, teaching materials, maintenance, and staff salaries have gone up. When heavy taxation is added, especially when calculated on broad income or fee metrics (rather than net profit), many schools struggle to break even.
2. Threat to Jobs and Accessibility
Teachers and other staff are particularly vulnerable. There are warnings that many teachers might lose their jobs if schools are forced to cut costs or, worse, shut down. Schools serving lower- and middle-income families fear having to hike fees, reducing access to those who cannot afford it.
3. Double or Multiple Taxation
A recurring complaint is that private schools are taxed by several government agencies (state, local government, education quality/approval offices, etc.), sometimes in overlapping or inconsistent ways. Proprietors want harmonization of levies and clearer, fairer tax regimes.
4. Teacher Welfare Neglected
Teachers in many private schools reportedly suffer from irregular pay, poor benefit packages, lack of job security, and limited professional development opportunities. Owners argue that without improving welfare for teachers, school quality declines. While the reports focus more on taxes and institutional burdens, many of the demands include calls for better conditions for teachers.
Possible Solutions and Government Response
• Tax Waivers / Relief Measures: Proprietors want specific tax reliefs, such as lowering personal/income tax rates for school owners, exemptions or reduction in levies, and removing the 5% tax on school fees in places like the FCT.
• Harmonization of Levies: Bring all tax and levy demands under a more unified system to avoid duplication. One-stop regulation/checkpoints rather than multiple agencies demanding different fees.
• Better Support for Teachers: Ensuring regular and fair pay, welfare benefits, training, job security so that teachers are motivated and stay in the profession. While specific proposals vary, the overarching plea is for recognition of teachers’ central role.
• Government Intervention: In some cases, the school owners have appealed directly to governors, state and federal education ministries, or intervening ministers to re-evaluate the tax policies, provide palliatives (aid/subsidies), and consider government grants.
Risks and Implications if Demands Are Ignored
• Schools may close, particularly small or less-resourced ones.
• Job losses among teachers and support staff.
• Increased number of out-of-school children as fees rise beyond what many families can afford.
• Decreased quality of education as schools cut corners to stay afloat.