ABIODUN DECLARES TOTAL SANCTION ON ILLEGAL LEVIES IN SCHOOLS
Towards enforcing its free education policy and tackling the challenge of out-of-school children to its barest minimum, the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has emphasised on its zero tolerance against any form of illegal levies collections in both Public Primary and Secondary school levels in Ogun State.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, reiterated this during a meeting with the Headteacher's General (HG) of the Four Divisions of Ogun State, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria, (AOPSHON) in his office in Abeokuta, affirming that any Principal, Headteacher or Teacher caught in such act would be sanctioned heavily.
Prof. Arigbabu hinted that the Ministry had issued out a circular to intimate the school administrators on this development, which also included putting an end to exorbitant graduation ceremonies in schools, saying the present administration was committed to providing free qualitative and accessible education to its citizenry, hence, the reason for its free education policy.
"We wouldn't want anybody to embarrass the government by charging illegal fees, we have outlawed graduation ceremonies in all our primary and secondary schools as much as possible, as we don't want any financial burden on our children and parents, if any principal or headteacher is found guilty of kicking against this free education policy, such will be sanctioned,'' the commissioner warned.
Speaking on behalf of others, Headteacher General, Ijebu bloc, Mr. Benjamin Alonge, enjoined Headteachers to refrain from every embarrassing act and should rather strictly adhere to government policies, assuring of their continuous support with the government in the campaign against collection of illegal fees in schools.
In their separate remarks, the President ANCOPPS, Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Alaba Olugbewesa and Chairman, AOPSHON, Ogun State Chapter, Alh. Tajudeen Adeosun, commended the present administration for all its transformative initiatives that had repositioned not only the schools, but the entire education sector.
They added that by digitalising the whole system, construction of a conducive teaching and learning environment, prompt payment of remuneration, including, salary, running cost, bonuses, palliatives among others had been the major tools for revitalising the system.
Samuel Ogungbesan,
Information and Public Relation Officer MoES&T
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