The Kwara chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has protested against alleged multiple taxations by the state Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).
The peaceful protest took place on Thursday as members of the association marched to the state ministry of education to register their plights.
Speaking during the protest, Temitope Ajibola, the state NAPPS president, lamented the recent charges, levies and taxes imposed on private school owners and businesses in the state by KWIRS.
The taxes and levies, he said include, land charges, personal income tax, signage and advertisement fees, renewal fees on business premises, fire prevention/inspection fees, fees on school health, safety permits, pest control and fumigation certificate fees.
Ajibola described such levies as “exploitative”, adding that members of the association strongly oppose it.
The state NAPPS president also gave the ministry of education a 72-hour ultimatum to address the issue with KWIRS before WAEC registration closes on Friday.
Ajibola argued that the taxes imposed by KWIRS will have a negative effect on WAEC registration of private school students.
He added that the development could also lead to the collapse of many private schools in the state.
“The stringent taxes will affect registration of pupils for WAEC exams as school owners will find it hard to meet up with the deadline to upload WAEC CASS which closes in 48 hours because the KWIRS refused to issue clearance except on payment,” he said.
“We can’t meet up. That’s why we’re protesting. We are appealing to KWIRS not to pitch us against the state government.”
Ajibola called on the government to address the issue on time to avoid further demonstration.
“We’re employers of labour to be commended and not to be condemned. We employ 1000s of teachers which the government has no capacity to cater for. We run our schools with loan and we’re not rich people,” he added.
“Many of us are running at a loss. We are in need of government assistance. We are even finding it hard to pay teachers. Kwara State is a civil service economy. Many parents pay after salary payment.”
Reacting, Ade Aboyeji, the director of quality assurance bureau at the state ministry of education and human capital development, assured the school owners that government will look into their demand.
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