Proprietors of private schools in Ekiti State on Monday shut their schools to protest government’s new tax policy as it affects them .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was against the alleged introduction of N1, 000 ‘Education Development Levy’ per term per pupil by the state government.
Government had announced N1, 000 levy each on students in secondary schools, while those in primary schools are to pay N500.
The government in a circular from the Ministry of Education extended the levy to private schools.
Alhaji Saka Adeleye, the President, National Association of Proprietors and Proprietress of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ekiti State chapter, who addressed a news conference on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, said the schools would remain closed for three days.
He described the levy as multiple taxation, adding that government had imposed different taxes on them.
He listed the taxes to include Annual Renewal Fee; Personal Income Tax; Pay as You Earn for staff; Personal Development Fee; Registration of Business Premises Fee; Environment Levy; Vehicle Permit Fee and Tenement Rate.
Adeleye said that before the decision to close down the schools was taken, several attempts were made to meet the governor.
“We have made several attempts to meet the governor but all efforts proved abortive.
“Even the meeting we were able to have with the Commissioner for Education, ended half way as he was summoned by the governor mid-way into the meeting.
“He promised to get back to us but till this moment, we never heard from him,” he said. (NAN)
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