Federal Government Launches National Policy on Non-State Schools, Seeking to Standardize Education, Curb Out-of-School Children, and Support Private Operators.
The Federal Government has unveiled the National Policy on Non-State Schools in Nigeria, marking a significant step towards regulating and coordinating the rapidly expanding private, faith-based, home, and community schools across the nation. Launched by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the policy stipulates clear guidelines for these institutions, covering standards for infrastructure, teacher quality, and curriculum delivery. This move is deemed crucial given the exponential growth of non-state schools, which have come to play a critical role in delivering education nationwide, driven by Nigeria's growing population and limited public education infrastructure.
The new policy also seeks to address the long-standing challenge of data collection and management within the non-state education sector. The government aims to collect and manage comprehensive data from these schools, enabling better oversight and informed decision-making. Furthermore, a key aspect of the initiative is to foster robust collaboration between non-state schools and the government. This framework is designed to ensure that both entities can work together effectively to achieve shared educational goals, particularly in improving overall education quality and ensuring the safety and security of students in line with the National School Safety Policy.
A significant component of the policy is the government's commitment to supporting non-state schools that enroll out-of-school children. Dr. Alausa announced that from the 2025–2026 school year, private operators who enroll out-of-school children will receive indirect reimbursements from the government through vouchers for each child. Additionally, privately owned early childhood centers will be eligible for grants and education vouchers to be distributed through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). This incentive aims to drastically reduce the staggering number of out-of-school children, ensuring that "no child will be left behind."
The introduction of this policy aligns with President Bola Tinubu's broader National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which prioritizes education as a central pillar of national development. While acknowledging the vital role non-state schools play in expanding access to education, the government is determined to ensure better regulation, accountability, and support for them to deliver higher-quality education. The success of this policy hinges on the support and collaborative efforts of state governments and all relevant stakeholders, as it seeks to create a future where every Nigerian child has access to quality education.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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