Parents of public schools in Ondo state have shown their displeasure over the levy placed on them by the ondo state government on West Africa Examination Council WAEC fees of their wards in Public Schools across the state.
The displeasure was made on Sunday on a popular current affairs programme ” Ọ̀rọ̀ tó n lọ” on Fresh FM ,102.9,Akure.
One of the parents ,Mr Akinniyi from Idanre said he has paid #36,000 naira to four different accounts against the wide speculated believe that Education is FREE in the state.
Mr Adeniyi emphasized that, his ward attends St Joseph High School , Idanre. The parent said he initially challenged the school principal for charging that high when government has announced free education from Primary to Secondary schools across the state , according to him, he said the reply he got was that he should withdraw his child if he feels
” as for me, I want to believe that ,there is no free education in our public schools in the state, the principals and the Ministry are sabotaging the system in the state”
” am a parent, i have paid #36 thousand already for my ward preparing to writ WAEC, so where is the free education, he said.
Another parent , Mr Adeola also complained that he has paid #35,000 worth of different levies surrounding his Child”s WAEC Examination Fee at Baptist High School, Akure which government claimed it is free according to him.
Several calls and Complaints rented the air on the Popular Current Affairs programme over payment of levies to different accounts as beeing directed by the Public school Principals.
Many of the parents lamented that, the state Commissioner of Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun has been mute on the matter from the time immemorial till now, allowing the principals controlling the affairs of Education in the state.
Parents have therefore called on the state government to curb the activities of the School Principals or otherwise, it will be agreed that ,Education from Primary to Secondary is not and has never been free
Meanwhile, the Press Officer of the Ministry,Mrs Lawani responded to the call of our reporter over the issue where she said, the Ministry is not aware of such and that , the situation will be looked into.
