By Odeh Henry
The Oyo state House of Assembly has warned principals and heads of Public Schools in the state to desist from collecting unauthorized fees and levies from students as the Oyo state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has abolished the three thousand naira education level introduced by the immediate past Government in the state.
The House gave the warning while deliberating on a motion on the need to check collection of unapproved fees and levies from pupils and students of public schools in Oyo state. The bill which was sponsored by Honorable Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi (IBSW 2) emphasized on strict compliance of the governor’s directives by all head teachers and school administrators of all public primary and secondary schools in the state noting that anyone or school found flouting this directives will be duly sanctioned.
Particular emphasis was laid on schools in Oke Ogun area of the state, noting that some schools still compel their students and pupils to pay the abolished three thousand for self enrichments. When sunrise bulletin contacted some education stakeholders present at the plenary to comment on the subject, the stakeholder who spoke to sunrise bulletin correspondent anonymously, stated that it was the failure of the past administration to provide public schools with necessary running cost that led most schools to self help, the stakeholder however expressed optimism that the new directives from the governor if properly monitored will improve quality of service and dedication to work which will in turn reposition the state to her enviable height.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin while reading the resolutions of the sitting on the motion warned that the state Government will deal decisively with any School head caught collecting or demanding school fees and other levies from school children.
The House therefore, urged the Executive arm of Government through the Oyo state Ministry of Education, Teaching Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education board to ensure that public schools comply with Government policies and directives on education matters.
The decision of the Oyo state Government to earmark ten percent of Oyo state annual budget for the education sector was widely applauded by the lawmakers.
Hon Ridwan Gbadamosi of Atisbo/Saki East constituency in his contribution said, he has continued to be inundated with reports of principals and headteachers in his constituency who extort money under the guise of fees and levies from students and pupils and promised to start compiling the names of Headteachers who engage in such illegal activity.
Also speaking, member representing Oriire state constituency, Hon Jacob Bamigboye commended the abolition of the three thousand naira school fees imposed on students by the immediate past administration and asked parents to stop payment of any fee or levy to any Headteacher in the state.
