ABUJA-A Bill to Prohibit the Overseas Basic and Undergraduate Education of Children and Wards of Public Officers and other Matters, awaits second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Bill sponsored by Rep. Emmanuel Bello (PDP/Hong/Adamawa) and slated for second reading by the House after its three-week recess, seeks punishment for public office holders who send off their children for education abroad without a “waiver” from the Education Minister.
“That is rubbish talk you can send your children anywhere you like. This is democracy, if you have money you can send your children in space. Issues like that are better taken as motions instead of Bills.”
“Subject to a written waiver granted under the hand of the Minister for Education, every child and or wards of public servant shall henceforth undergo basic and undergraduate education in the Country.
“The Minister for education shall in consideration of an application for waiver pursuant to section I be guided by the nature of the proposed course of study for an undergraduate applicant, medical condition and the general national interest”, the Bill states, adding however that without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of this Act, any public officer whose children and or wards are undergoing basic and undergraduate education overseas immediately before the date when this Act comes into force shall be deemed to be doing so pursuant to a waiver granted by the Minister or this for education”, the Bill states..
