The Minister of Education, Prof. Rukkayat Rufa'i, on Friday called on proprietors of private schools to make their fees affordable for the average Nigerian family to pay.

The minister made the call on Friday in Lokoja at the 8th Annual Conference of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).

Represented by Dr Ngozi Emenike, a Deputy Director in the Department of Basic and Secondary Education, the minister urged the association to seek ways of making quality education affordable to the poor.

She urged Nigerians to continue to appreciate private school owners and grant them the enabling environment to operate.

The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Mrs Grace Elebiyo, who represented Gov. Idris Wada, urged the association to adhere to stipulated standards.

She commended the proprietors for their contribution to the provision of quality education and reduction in the unemployment rate.

Elebiyo stated that their effort was well appreciated as government could not shoulder the burden of education alone.

NAN