Ekiti State Government has warned management of public secondary schools to desist from collecting unauthorized fees from parents in Ekiti State, Saying any staff caught would face full wrath of the law.
The Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye gave the warning during an unscheduled visit to some public schools in Ado Ekiti.
The commissioner, who led some top officials in her Ministry on an inspection tour of some schools in Ado Ekiti, as well investigated rumours that some schools were collecting unauthorised levies from parents and students
Dr. Aderiye noted that some schools management in collaboration with parents teachers Association (PTA) were in the habit of extorting parents/guidance and scare them of sending their wards to their first choice of schools.
She reiterated that the State, under the leadership of Dr.Kayode Fayemi runs an absolute free and compulsory education, which would not tolerate any unapproved collection of fees under whatever circumstance.
Aderiye reminded the management and staff of public secondary schools that admission into JSS I could only be made by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.She cautioned principals against admitting pupils without recourse to the ministry, describing such action as impersonation.
While admonishing the school principals and registrars to ensure proper screening of candidates for admission to guide against enrollment of unqualified pupils, Saying admission should be on merit no matter the parental background.
Dr Aderiye opined that some schools’ principals were of the habit of contracting school uniform to vendors and inturn sell at exhorbitant prices to parents, with a charge that they should be concerned with the parents’ provision of basic needs for their pupils and not to short-change them.
She also advised the principals to rehabilitate pupils that were not promoted to the next class last session saying that failure today does not determine the one’s future.
At St Michael Primary/Secondary Schools, the Commissioner disclosed that work is on-going to provide conducive accomodation for teaching and learning.
Also at Ekiti State Government College, Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner expressed her displeasure at the negligence and uncare attitude on the path of the school management towards the pupils’ welfare, calling on the school principal, Mr Olawale Olaleye to be responsive to his duties.
In her own reaction, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi said that the principal has failed in his administrative assignments and will be sanctioned for negligence.
Written by:
Adebayo Olajide