Public officers’ children free to attend schools abroad –Reps
The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to regulate how children of public officers enrol in schools outside the shores of Nigeria.
The bill faced stiff opposition at the second reading on Thursday.
It is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to regulate international studies for wards and children of Nigerian public officers to strengthen indigenous institutions, provide efficient educational services for national development; and for related matters’.
It was the second time within four years that the lawmakers would reject the bill sponsored by a member of the House, Sergius Ogun.
Leading the debate on the bill at the second reading, Ogun noted that the proposal would strengthen indigenous educational institutions to meet global standards; boost the economy by reducing cash flight and foreign exchange; reduce brain drain and institute good welfare conditions for indigenous academics, experts and professionals based abroad to come back home and develop their country with their skills and expertise.
The lawmaker added that it would build a better society by developing formidable educational institutions; and facilitate the realisation of the fundamental objectives and policies of state as enshrined in Chapter Two of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Cap C23, LFN, 2004.
He said, “This bill is proposed against the background of fallen standards in our educational system and the need to bring the sector up to speed with global best standards.
