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 Kano State House of Assembly passes the Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following extensive public hearings and stakeholder consultations
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 Amended legislation establishes the office of an Executive Secretary to strengthen the administration, coordination, and regulatory oversight of private and voluntary educational institutions
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 Private schools and other voluntary educational institutions must now obtain government approval before increasing tuition fees or imposing any additional charges on students
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 Lawmakers say the reforms are designed to curb arbitrary fee hikes, protect parents and guardians from financial exploitation, and entrench greater transparency, accountability, and quality assurance in Kano’s private education sector
August 4, (THEWILL) — The Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing far-reaching reforms aimed at tightening government oversight of private educational institutions and shielding parents from arbitrary school fee increases.
The legislation, approved during Monday’s plenary, makes it mandatory for private and voluntary schools to obtain government approval before increasing tuition or introducing any additional charges, a move lawmakers say is intended to bring greater transparency, accountability, and fairness to the administration of private education in the state.
The bill was passed after the House considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Education, which conducted extensive public hearings and engaged school proprietors, education experts, parents, and other critical stakeholders before presenting its recommendations.
The amendment marks a significant policy shift in Kano’s education sector, coming amid growing concerns over the rising cost of private education and increasing calls for stronger regulatory oversight of school operations.
Speaking shortly after the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ismail Falgore, praised members for their robust contributions throughout the legislative process.
He described the amendment as a landmark reform that would strengthen the governance and management of private and voluntary educational institutions while ensuring the regulatory board is better equipped to discharge its statutory responsibilities.
A major feature of the legislation is the creation of the office of Executive Secretary, a position expected to provide stronger administrative leadership and improve the day-to-day management of the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board.
Lawmakers expressed confidence that the new structure would enhance policy implementation, improve institutional efficiency, and reinforce the board’s capacity to monitor compliance with established standards across private schools in the state.
Government Approval Now Required Before Fee Hikes
Perhaps the most consequential provision of the amended law is the requirement that all private and voluntary educational institutions obtain regulatory approval before increasing tuition fees or imposing any additional charges on students.
The Assembly said the provision is designed to prevent indiscriminate fee hikes that place excessive financial pressure on parents and guardians, while ensuring that any proposed increase is justified and subjected to appropriate government scrutiny.
Lawmakers maintained that the legislation seeks to strike a balance between protecting the legitimate interests of school proprietors and safeguarding families from unjustified financial burdens at a time of persistent economic challenges.
According to the Assembly, the amendment was shaped by recommendations received during stakeholder engagements and public hearings organised by the House Committee on Education, reflecting broad-based input from key actors within the education sector.
The lawmakers expressed optimism that the new legal framework would improve standards in private education, strengthen public confidence in the regulatory system, and foster a more transparent and accountable operating environment for private and voluntary educational institutions across Kano State.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
