The Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has reiterated the state government’s zero tolerance for illegal levies in public schools, warning that any principal, headteacher or teacher found violating the free education policy would face severe sanctions.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, gave the warning during a meeting with Headteachers-General from the four divisions of Ogun State, alongside officials of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) in Abeokuta.
Arigbabu said the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun remained committed to ensuring free, accessible and quality education across the state, stressing that the collection of unauthorised fees in public primary and secondary schools would no longer be tolerated.
According to him, the ministry had already circulated directives to school administrators, warning against illegal charges and extravagant graduation ceremonies capable of placing financial burdens on parents and students.
“We would not want anybody to embarrass the government by charging illegal fees. We have also outlawed graduation ceremonies in our primary and secondary schools as much as possible because we do not want additional financial pressure on parents and pupils,” the commissioner said.
He warned that any school administrator found undermining the government’s free education policy would be decisively sanctioned.
Arigbabu noted that the move was part of broader efforts by the state government to strengthen its free education programme and reduce the rate of out-of-school children across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Headteachers-General, Mr. Benjamin Alonge of the Ijebu bloc urged school administrators to avoid acts capable of tarnishing the image of the government and instead comply strictly with established education policies.
He assured the government of the continued support of school heads in the campaign against illegal fee collection in public schools.
Also speaking, President of ANCOPSS, Ogun State chapter, Mr. Alaba Olugbewesa, and Chairman of AOPSHON in the state, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeosun, commended the Abiodun administration for reforms aimed at repositioning the education sector.
The education stakeholders highlighted ongoing digitalisation of school administration, construction of conducive learning environments, prompt payment of salaries and running costs, as well as bonuses and palliatives for workers, as part of measures revitalising the sector.
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