Ekiti Catholic Church threatens to sue state Government over proposed Education tax

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, state Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye has threatened to sue Ekiti state government over its proposed introduction of N500 and N1,000 development levy for primary and secondary school kids in the state.

Ajakaye said that “in the circumstance that any of the schools under (his) custody is disturbed,” he will institute legal action on the state government.

Ajakaye argued that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Law of 2005 had mandated the state government to provide free and compulsory education for all pupils and students in the state. “No law empowers the state government of Ekiti to impose Education Development Levy on pupils/students of mission schools in Ekiti State,” he said.

He also said that schools established by the Church are already paying taxes and levies to both state and local governments. He added that the Catholic Church in the state is a great contributor to quality education and a formidable partner in the development of education in the state. “Therefore, the status of the Catholic schools must be recognised as defined by their purposes and they should be treated accordingly,” he said.

Source: This Day