A non-governmental organization based in Taraba State has formally called upon the state's education board to take immediate action against the unchecked rise in private school fees and a controversial textbook policy. The Bilbas Care for Rural Education and Development Initiative (BICREDI) is leading the charge, highlighting the severe financial pressure these issues place on families.
Formal Petition to the Education Board
In a statement released to the press on Monday, November 17, 2025, the Founder and Executive Director of BICREDI, Bello Bako, detailed the organization's concerns. The group has submitted a formal letter to the Chairman of the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) through the Office of the Secretary.
The petition urgently requests a courtesy visit to the Board. BICREDI emphasized that the proposed meeting would focus squarely on two critical issues it believes are undermining the quality of basic education in Taraba State.
The Core Grievances: Fees and Textbooks
The first major issue is the persistent and arbitrary increase in private school fees across the state. BICREDI accused many private institutions of financial exploitation and called on TSUBEB to strengthen its monitoring and regulatory framework to ensure these schools adhere to approved standards.
The second point of contention is the enforcement of a one-time use textbook policy in private schools. The NGO strongly criticized this practice, warning that it forces parents to purchase new books every academic year. This, they argue, places an unnecessary and heavy financial burden on households, particularly those in rural communities, and directly contradicts efforts to make education affordable and accessible for all.
Parallel Crises: PASAN Strike and Political Defections
In a separate but concurrent development, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Taraba State chapter, has commenced an indefinite industrial strike. The action began at midnight on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
According to a notice contained in a letter dated November 14, which was addressed to all staff of the Taraba State House of Assembly, the strike was triggered by unresolved grievances with the state government. The union's leadership, Chairman Hamidu Buba and Secretary Timothy Enganya, jointly signed the statement.
The strike is driven by two primary demands:
- The non-implementation of financial autonomy for the state's legislative arm.
- The failure of the government to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
PASAN has directed all assembly employees to stay at home until further notice. Despite the industrial action, the union reaffirmed its readiness to engage in negotiations with the state government to resolve the dispute, urging its members to remain united.
Adding to the state's political turmoil, in a dramatic move on Monday, all 16 members of the Taraba State House of Assembly elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) resigned from the party and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Speaker, John Kizito Bonzina, announced the mass defection during a plenary session, which occurred less than 24 hours before an anticipated defection by Governor Agbu Kefas.
