Private school proprietors under the Coalition of Associations of Private Schools (CAPS) on Friday took to the streets of Benin City to protest what they termed a crippling hike in personal income tax by the Edo State Government.
The protest, which held at the premises of the Edo State Ministry of Education, saw scores of school owners wielding placards and banners with inscriptions rejecting the new tax regime. The protesting educators decried an alleged 200% to 400% increase in personal income tax, saying it threatens the survival of private schools across the state.
Dr. Ohis-Olakhe Emmanuel, Chairman of CAPS, led the protest, expressing frustration over the government’s stance. According to him, private schools have made several attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue, but all efforts failed.
“Private schools are not only complementing government efforts in the education sector, but are also major employers of labour,” he said.
“With this increase, over 300,000 teachers risk losing their jobs, not to mention the countless vendors and service providers who depend on schools for survival.”
He described the hike as punitive, lamenting that the new system calculates tax based on a flat rate of N30,000 to N35,000 per student, regardless of the actual fees charged by schools.
“It is unfair to treat all schools the same when some charge far less. This flat-rate policy does not reflect economic realities,” he added.
Backing Emmanuel’s stance, CAPS Secretary, Dr. Austin Igbasan, warned of dire consequences on the educational ecosystem if the government fails to review the tax burden.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Association for Formidable Education Development (AFED), Mr. Oladele Ogundele, criticised what he called the burden of multiple levies imposed on schools.
“These include personal income tax, PAYE, school renewal fees, environmental and health certifications, signage fees, tenement rates, and other charges. We are calling for a uniform tax regime that won’t cripple our operations,” Ogundele said.
The Coalition of Associations of Private Schools (CAPS) includes the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), the Association for Formidable Education Development (AFED), and the Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS).
Responding to the protest, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Paddy Iyamu, acknowledged the concerns of the protesters and assured them that their grievances would be addressed.
“While taxation is necessary for the government to fulfill its responsibilities, we do not intend to overburden schools,” Iyamu said.
He promised to facilitate a meeting between the coalition and the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, aimed at finding a resolution. However, he urged school proprietors to upgrade substandard schools, warning that the government would soon begin enforcing stricter regulatory measures.
