The House of Representatives has rejected a bill that would make it illegal for public officials to send their children and wards to foreign schools without the Minister of Education’s permission.
The bill’s sponsor, Sergius Ogun (PDP, Ogun), had introduced a similar bill in the 8th Assembly, but it was rejected by lawmakers.
He also sponsored a bill requiring public officials to seek medical attention in Nigerian hospitals. The lawmakers at the time also rejected this bill, citing a violation of fundamental rights.
According to Mr. Ogun’s bill, a public official can only send his or her children or wards to foreign schools with the Minister of Education’s approval. It also requires officers to show proof of financial ability to pay their wards’ school fees.
This bill comes after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) went on strike over the 2009 agreements, causing yet another shutdown of federal universities.
The bill’s highlights
“A public officer shall not send his ward or children oversea for studies without declaring an interest subject to approval,” according to section 4 of the rejected bill.
The bill’s section 6 outlines the procedures for obtaining approval. “A public officer expressing an interest in sending his ward or child abroad for further studies shall submit the following documents for consideration,” it stated.
(a) A completed form containing the public officer’s name and address, the child’s or ward’s name and age, his level of education, the name of the intended school abroad, the duration of study, and the number of children studying abroad;
(b) Appointment letter
c) Accounts payable and receivable statement
d) Paystub for salary
e) Asset Declaration Form; and
(f) A sworn affidavit stating that he can afford to pay for his education.
(1) The minister shall conduct an investigation to verify the authenticity of the documents submitted for approval, according to Section 7.
For breaking the law, Section 9 of the bill stipulates a fine of N1 million or three years in prison.
The discussion
Mr. Ogun, who led the bill debate, drew a link between deteriorating public school facilities and a desire for foreign schools.
He claimed that the bill has the ability to address the allocation of resources to public schools.
“The problem is that the majority of those who attend private educational institutions or study abroad are the children and wards of Nigerian public officials. These are the officers who should be in charge of constructing our public institutions, according to the lawmaker.
He expressed concern about the outflow of scarce foreign resources to fund these outlays. Nigeria sends over N1 billion to Ghana’s economy, according to the lawmaker.
While opposing the bill, Chiyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers) stated that the content of the bill violates the spirit of the 1999 constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to move anywhere.
He claimed that the Code of Conduct Act is sufficient to determine whether a public official has the financial means to send his or her children to international schools.
“As far as I’m concerned, this bill violates Nigerians’ fundamental human rights, which guarantee their freedom of movement.” The constitution guarantees you complete freedom of movement. As a result, you are violating the constitution with this bill, and it is therefore null and void.
“Not all public officers who send their children to school have control over public funds.” I am Chiyere Igwe, and I can assure you that I have no control over the public. Is it wrong for me to send my children to school in another country?
“You are only allowed to farm under the Code of Conduct Act,” he continued, “and with this bill, you are infringing on the constitution.”
On the basis of the 1999 constitution, Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi) also spoke out against the bill. Many people, he claimed, had their children attend such schools before they were elected.
“This bill should be lowered by him.” It is a violation of my rights. Most of us have our children attending school in another country before we come here. So it’s not because we’re government employees that we shouldn’t send our children abroad. If you say that because I am now a member of the House of Representatives, I should withdraw my children from the schools where they are being educated, we all agree that the schools are in disarray.
Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) and Toby Okechukwu, the Deputy Minority Leader, were among those who spoke out against the bill (PDP, Enugu).
Mr Ogun, who was visibly displeased with his colleagues, used his right of reply to urge them to read the bill thoroughly in order to comprehend its contents. He stated that regulation is required to address the challenges confronting Nigerian public education.
However, the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), warned him to be careful with his language on the House floor.
Members overwhelmingly rejected the bill when it was put to a vote.
