From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
Kwara State Government has sounded warnings to proprietors of coaching centres to stop poaching of students from various schools under the pretext of preparing them for Seniors Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) or face the full wrath of the law.
Executive Director, Agency for Mass Education, Mallam Saka Yusuf, stated this during a meeting with executive members, Association of Private Coaching Centres of Nigeria (ASSOPCON).
He expressed displeasure that despite sensitisation and advocacy efforts by the agency, many coaching centres still failed to comply with regulations, thereby poaching students, particularly from Junior Secondary School 3, Senior Secondary 1 and Senior Secondary 2, which could eventually derail or jeopardize their future.
He, therefore, warned perpetrators of such acts to desist forthwith or be ready to face the dire consequences of their actions.
“Henceforth, coaching centers should not take students from schools and register them as conventional students. The act is totally in contrast with the provision of education ordinance in the State . Proprietors are therefore charged to work towards complementing government efforts at improving the education standards of Kwara State.”
In his response, ASSOPCON president and proprietor, Lumex Tutors, Mr. Olumide Agboola, supported state government’s stand on sanctioning whoever is guilty of the act, adding that coaching centers caught perpetrating the menace, should be dealt with according to the dictates of the law.
Proprietor of Gama Tutors, Mr. Thomas Adebiyi, assured the government that all the centres will immediately comply with government’s directives and desist from such dastardly acts, with a pledge to follow the rules and regulations guiding the association.