Teachers in Oyo State have been cautioned by the Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Nureni Adeniran, against collecting unauthorized fees in public schools. Adeniran stated that any staff member caught engaging in such behavior would face disciplinary action.
The warning comes following reports that some teachers were coercing students to pay for the ongoing second-term unified promotion examination in public primary schools.
While monitoring the examination exercise in Ibadan, the state capital, Adeniran emphasized that the current administration has been responsible for producing question-and-answer sheets for the unified examination exercise since its inception.
He highlighted that the government has ensured that all schools in the state adhere to the examination timetable.
Adeniran stated, “The government abolished the payment of fees by students in public schools after discovering that some teachers were imposing unauthorized fees in certain areas. I urge parents and guardians to report any instances of unauthorized fee collection to the board.
“I would like to apologize to parents and guardians whose children were compelled to bring money for examinations. This directive did not come from the board, and I urge such parents to report these teachers to the board. The government has taken measures to ensure a smooth examination process. We have covered the costs of printing and delivering question and answer sheets.
“We are dedicated to providing free and compulsory universal basic education, and any school or head teacher found imposing or collecting unapproved levies will face consequences.”
Adeniran affirmed that Governor Seyi Makinde has been consistent in providing the state counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission, enabling the board to access funds for infrastructure development and personnel enhancement.
He also praised the orderly conduct of the examination in the visited centers.
The schools visited on Tuesday included Community Basic School 1&2, Olorunsogo; Community Primary School, Olosunde; Atolu Model School 1-4, Oremeji; among others. The schools visited on Thursday include UAMC School, Eleja, Odo-Ona; AUD Primary School; UMC Basic School, Oke-Ado; Abiola Jacobs Schools 1,2,3; and Army Children School, Iwo-road.