Senate Introduces Bill Recommending Higher Fines For Parents Failing To Provide Education....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, has initiated a bill that has passed its first reading. This bill recommends imposing a fine of N50,000 on parents who fail to ensure their children receive primary and secondary school education.

In addition, the Senate has proposed the provision of free meals for every child in the country.

The bill, brought forth by Senator Orji Kalu and titled ‘Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004, Section 2,’ outlines that every government in Nigeria must offer free, mandatory, and universal basic education for all children of primary and junior secondary school age.

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Furthermore, the bill mandates that “Every parent shall ensure that his child or ward attends and completes his primary school education and junior secondary school education by endeavoring to send the child to primary and junior secondary schools.”

The act also notes that stakeholders in education within a local government area are responsible for ensuring that every parent or caregiver fulfills their duty as prescribed under section 2(2) of this Act.

The act specifies that a parent who violates the initial requirement should, upon first conviction, receive a reprimand. “On a second conviction, a fine of N2,000 or imprisonment for a term of one month or both; and on subsequent conviction, to a fine of N5,000 or imprisonment for a term of two months or both.”

However, the Senate, in its amendment, has proposed an increase in the fines, suggesting N50,000 fines instead of the N5,000 previously stated in the Act.

The amendment reads as follows: “Section (4) (b) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N2,000 and inserting N20,000. Section (4) (c) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N5,000 and inserting N50,000.”

Furthermore, it states, “A person who receives or obtains any fee contrary to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section commits an offense and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding N10,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both.”

The bill underscores that “Every parent shall ensure that his child receives full-time education suitable to his age, ability, and aptitude by regular attendance at schools.”

The Senate, however, proposes N100,000 in place of the earlier N10,000 fine. The Senate has suggested, “Section 3(2) of the Principal Act is amended by deleting N10,000 and inserting N100,000.”