While the current administration in Imo State prides itself as Educationally complaint Government, the Private Schools owners in the state have been instructed to pay the sum of N195,000 (one hundred and ninety five thousand naira) as Tax to the Government coffers.
In a memo dated June 25th 2013, from Internally Generated Revenue Management Committee of the Ministry of Finance, Imo State, and forwarded to proprietors of private schools in Imo, the Committee captioned the letter “Consolidated Demand Notice”.
In another letter dated May 2, 2013, office of the Accountant-General of Imo State furnished the Committee with the Banks and Account numbers in which the Private Schools will pay in the aforementioned sum.
The letter from the Account-General’s office was signed by one Anyanwu Chima H.
In the Consolidated Demand Notice, the Private School owners were asked to pay various sums to different Ministries. The fees which run annually would be paid to Ministry of Education; Operational Service = N140. Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Business Premises = N18,000. ENTRACO; Sanitation fee = 12,000. Ministry of Information and Culture; Signage = N25,000, making it a total of N195,000.
The private schools were asked to comply with the directive not later than 28 days from the receipt of the notice.
Reactions from populace differed from individuals spoken to on the matter by our roving Reporters. Many said that in the spirit of free education policy of the Okorocha administration, the high fee of registrations imposed on the Private Schools runs counter to free education for all policy.
Others said that the tax imposed on private schools is part of means to generate fund by the Government to provide infrastructure for the masses.
The last group said it runs counter to Okorocha’s campaign songs, which centred on ameliorating the plight of the people, including abolishing some draconian taxes, like Education taxes that will encourage education affordable by all.
