Principals Suspension:Ogun Govt Reaffirms Zero Tolerance For Illegal Fees In Schools

Ogun State Government has rolled out strict monitoring mechanisms, including closer collaboration with security agencies and stronger enforcement of the zero-tolerance stance on illegal collections, as part of the measures being taken to curb illegal collection of fees in public primary and secondary schools and ensure full compliance with the free education policy of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration

Other measures are meaningful student engagement, orientation programmes to re-emphasis the implications of the undertaking signed by parents and students, and activation of the whistle-blower system.

The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu who reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to providing qualitative free education for all children in the State explained that the whistle-blower mechanism was designed to promptly alert authorities if any school head demanded money in any form as a precondition for student enrolment or participation in school activities.

Professor Arigbabu stressed that the present administration remains passionate about making free education accessible to every school-age child in Ogun State, regardless of location, gender, economic background, religion, or political affiliation, as he warned that anyone found guilty of contravening this policy would face severe sanctions.

The Commissioner explained that the two Principals of Ilugun High School (Junior and Senior), Elega, Abeokuta, were  suspended for their alleged involvement in illegal fee collections that triggered the unfortunate incident at the school.

“On behalf of the State Government, let me express our deepest condolences to the parents and family of the deceased. We feel their pain, and our prayers are with them during this difficult period,” he said.

While appealing to students not to express their grief through the destruction of school property, Professor Arigbabu noted that the government is still grappling with inadequate infrastructure in schools, and vandalism only worsens the situation, urged everyone to remain calm as investigations continue, assuring that the administration will be transparent and ensure justice is served.