The Enugu Chapter of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON) has criticised the state government and its agencies for multiple taxation and levies against schools belonging to its members.

The state chairman of the association, Emeka Grahams, who is the proprietor of Professor’s Ivy League School, Enugu, has described the situation as worrisome.

According to him, from time to time, officials and representatives of government agencies will come to demand a certain amount from the school owners.

Mr Grahams said Nigerians have an erroneous belief that private school owners make millions without looking at the expenses they incurred in running the schools.

“When it comes to the collection of levies, they ask other business owners to pay N2000, but for private schools, they will ask us to pay N2 million.

“Everyone in the country believes that private school owners are in money, which is contrary to the reality on the ground.

“Even touts can get up anytime to request money from us, and if any member is not courageous, they will scam him or her. It is a very big challenge and worrisome to us,” he said.

He charged members of the association to enquire from individuals asking for money their identity, saying, “Many school owners have suffered from the hands of these people.”

Urging the state government to support private schools to meet the approved standard in the state, Mr Grahams said many schools were struggling to survive, while others were hiding from the ministry officials in charge of enforcement.

Mr Grahams appealed to the state government to offer the association members, to enable them “upgrade to the required standard rather than trying to close them.”

He said many of the association members were not paying tax because “they are not recognised, but they enjoy the services of the government. But if they get approval, there will be more revenue for the government.”

(NAN)