Lawmakers Reject Bill Seeking To Stop Children Of Public Officers From Schooling Abroad

Lawmakers Reject Bill Seeking To Stop Children Of Public Officers From Schooling Abroad
The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to regulate international studies for the children of public officials and strengthen educational institutions in Nigeria.
The bill titled “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.
The seeking to stop public officials from diverting public funds to their children’s education abroad, went through a robust debate at plenary on Thursday.
The bill when enacted will help to redirect the huge funds that fly out to other countries, into the relevant sectors of our economy. It will bring about better facilities in our national life.
But speaking against the bill, some lawmakers said they had the right to train their children anywhere without using public funds.
One of the lawmakers, Hon. Chinyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers), said “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”.
Opposing the bill too, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), said it was against the constitution,“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.”
But when it was eventually put to a voice vote, it was rejected as the lawmakers said the bill was an affront to the fundamental human rights of the children of public officials.
The bill, was finally killed by the majority of the House members who shouted ‘No’ to its passage for second reading.
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