Niger PTA Rejects Government Order to Dissolve School Executives, Says Directive Violates Parents’ Rights

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Niger State chapter of the Parent-Teacher Association (NIPTA) has rejected a directive from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education ordering the dissolution of executive committees in all public schools, describing the move as unconstitutional and a direct attack on parents’ participation in school governance.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Adamu Yunusa, the association condemned the circular, insisting the Ministry lacked the authority to disband officials elected by parents and teachers.

“PTA executives are elected by parents and teachers in each school and operate as independent bodies,” Yunusa said. “The Ministry does not have the power to remove elected officials without a valid reason or due process. We also question why the Ministry had to consult the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on PTA matters; PTAs are not labour unions.”

He stressed that PTAs exist to advance students’ welfare, strengthen educational development, and promote cooperation between parents and schools—not to address labour-related issues.

NIPTA further directed principals and headteachers across the state to ignore the Ministry’s instruction and maintain their current PTA leadership.

The association also urged parents, teachers, and other education stakeholders to defend the role of PTAs in improving learning outcomes across Niger State.