Moses Ofodeme
Private primary and secondary schools in Anambra state yesterday embarked on a three day strike closing down their school on protest over multiple and illegal taxation by agents alleged to have been directed by the Anambra state government.
School children who were to commence their second term examination were ordered home until Wednesday this week pending any other directives from the state chapter of the National Association Proprietors of Private Schools in the area.
When journalists visited some private schools in Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia and Nnewi parents and guardians expressed suprise over the development while school children whose relatives could not come early to take them home were playing games at the school field.
Several calls were put accross to the Commissioner for Basic Education Prof Katie Omenugha for her to react to the incident could not connect as her phone was not reachable and later switched off.
According to Mrs Amaka Ezedebego who is the state Chairperson of the body who spoke through a member of the association Mr Chinazo Rapheal said the government of Anambra state have been imposing all manner of taxes and levies on private schools in Anambra state running up to several billions of naira .
As I speak with you sir we are asked to pay business premesis levies which is not done any were and we are asked to pay#50,000 for approval forms for private schools and before you get the approval you must have spent#200 000 and after that you now pay another#250,000 to be given the approval letter.
We are always intimidated by government task force who transload our school children from our bus to their bus and detain the children in their office until we come to pay#20, 000 for the branding of our school bus and after that we still pay#40,000 to #50,000 for school sign board.