Ogun Govt Declares Collection Of Any Fee In Schools Illegal

Ogun State  Government says it is illegal for school heads in both Public Primary and Secondary Schools across the State, to collect any form of fee, levy or payment, insisting its free education policy is still in place.

          

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu made the declaration in Abeokuta, during the 2023/2024 Academic Session Pre-Resumption meeting with education stakeholders in the State, stating that cost of materials, maintenance and provision of facilities in schools has been funded by the government.

        

"People should be reminded that the present administration at inception, cancelled all forms of payment to encourage children to have access to quality standard of education, without paying any amount,  thereby making it illegal for any school head to collect any kind of levy whatsoever", Arigbabu stated 

          

He advised Principals and Headteachers to encourage and promote merits in their various schools, adding that anyone desiring to make a donation to schools or use school facilities for any event, should follow the stipulated guidelines of government in order not to disrupt the academic activities in schools.

          

The Special Adviser also made it known that the government was working on modalities towards enhancing the security architecture in schools, urging the school administrators to ensure religious tolerance and avoid anything capable of putting the name of the State in disrepute.

          

Speaking, the Chairman, Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, Evang. Olalekan Ifede enjoined school heads to be punctual at all times, and to serve as role models for the teaching and non-teaching staff, adding that it was imperative to monitor their schools well towards attaining required educational standards.

          

Earlier in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye stated that the discussion and decision to be made would engender effective implementation of the government’s policy on education for further improvement.

          

In their goodwill messages, the State Chairmen, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOSPHON), Mr. Adeyinka Adekoya and Mr. Dauda Sanusi respectively, expressed their appreciation to Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration for the approval and release of the 2021/2022 promotion and payment of peculiar and palliative allowances to workers in the State, to further cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.