Edo House moves to unify education laws for private schools

Newspapers report that the Edo House of Assembly has started merging the 39 existing education statutes into one comprehensive law. We have not yet seen an official notice.

The consolidation was disclosed by Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Donald Okogbe, at a legislative roundtable in Benin on Friday, 23 October 2026.

Private schools now account for close to 60 per cent of enrolment at primary and secondary levels in Edo State, according to WAEC records cited by Okogbe. Okogbe said legislative provisions for private schools were inadequate, prompting the need for a unified law.

The proposed framework will define basic school requirements, including number of teachers, facilities and sports amenities. Individuals running private tutorial centres, as well as school principals and teachers who take part in organised exam cheating, will be subject to criminal prosecution beyond civil service regulations.

The reform will address emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and allow private finance to fund public schools through 10- to 20-year concession models. The law will recognise alumni and foundation interventions and may set conditions for fee increases or school name changes.

Performance-based incentives and grants will be launched for public schools, replacing the previous uniform or missing funding system.