20th March, 2013
The Kwara State Government has declared that it will deal decisively with any school principal found collecting illegal levies from students.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Saka Onimago, gave the warning on Tuesday in Ilorin while addressing principals of secondary schools at Queen Elizabeth School.
Onimago reminded the principals that the state administration was operating a tuition-free education policy, and would not tolerate any charges except the officially-approved levies.
He expressed concern at the number of requests by school authorities seeking consent for introduction of one levy or the other.
He warned that anyone found contravening the order would be sanctioned, adding that such school heads could face expulsion.
He said that the commitment of the state government to transform the quality of education informed the allocation of the highest sum of the 2013 budget, and enjoined the principals to support the government.
Onimago, who was represented by Alhaji Lamidi Alabi, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, directed school heads to improve on the security network in their premises to guide against encroachment by miscreants.
He said that government had received reports of kidnapping and stealing of properties in some schools.
The President of the Association of Principals of Senior Secondary Schools, Alhaji Kuranga Omomeji, in his remark, assured the state government of maximum cooperation.
He, however, complained that the security situation was beyond the capacity of principals and appealed for assistance.