By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed a bill into law prohibiting parents from denying their children basic education in the state, with defaulters liable to one year imprisonment, N100,000 fine or both.
The bill was sponsored by the Speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, who represents Ningi Central Constituency of Bauchi State.
This followed the submission of a report of the House Committee on Education on a Bill for a Law to Promote Children Access to Basic Education in Bauchi State and for Connected Matters which was laid by the Chairman, Babayo Muhammad representing Hardawa Constituency.
According to report, the Committee had engaged all stakeholders in education with a view to gathering their opinions and concerns on the Bill.
“The committee observed that the Bill seeks to guarantee the right of basic education to every child in the State who attains the age of 5 who shall be enrolled into school.
“The Bill seeks to also eliminate inequalities and disparities in education where every child shall be entitled to basic education with equal opportunity for both male and female to be provided by the State,” the Committee Chairman said.
He added that: “The Committee recommended that under offence and penalty in the Bill, the penalty of any parent, husband or teacher who refuses to enrol any pupil or student into school without lawful cause, will be liable to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000 or both.”
He said that the committee recommended that the House should adopt and pass the Bill into law.
The House then unanimously adopted the recommendations of the report.
The sponsor of the bill and Speaker of the House, requested his colleagues to allow a Bill for a Law to Promote Children Access to Basic Education in Bauchi State and for Connected Matters to undergo 3rd reading.
He was seconded by Hon. Sabo Bako representing Sade Constituency.
Upon approval by the House, the Speaker directed the Clerk, Umar Gital to carryout the 3rd reading.
After that, the Bill was therefore passed into law.
Leave a Reply