By Kola Alhassan
The House of Representatives has rejected a bill aimed at preventing children of public officials from studying abroad.
Sources said the bill entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Regulate International Studies for Wards and Children of Nigerians Public Officers, So as to Strengthen Indigenous Institutions to Provide Efficient Educational Service for National Development,” was sponsored by Hon. Sergius Ogun representing Esan North-East federal constituency of Edo State.
IkejaBird gathered that the bill went through thorough assessment at plenary on Thursday.
While explaining the core aspects of the bill, Ogun said the aims of the bill included strengthening indigenous educational institutions to meet global standards; reducing brain drain and instituting good welfare conditions for indigenous academics, building a better society by developing formidable educational institutions, among others.
He said:”This bill does not infringe on the right to family and private life as well as other fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The bill only seeks to regulate the practice of public servants sending their children/wards abroad for studies, while neglecting the development of our indigenous educational institutions.”
However, lawmakers who opposed the bill maintained that they had the right to train their wards anywhere without using public money.
One of the lawmakers, Hon. Chinyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers), said the bill negates human rights.
“It offends fundamental human rights which guarantees freedom of movement. Most public officers that send their children to school abroad don’t do that with public funds. I also don’t agree that is the reason the educational system in Nigeria is failing. I urge him to withdraw the Bill,” he said.
Similarly, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), said: “It’s against the constitution in terms of discrimination. My children have the right to be educated anywhere in the world. The bill should not see the light of the day. He should just step it down.”
The lawmakers unanimously rejected the bill,while declining its passage for second reading.
