Ondo cracks down on principals charging unauthorised admission fees

The Ondo State government has announced a crackdown on public school principals who are collecting unauthorised fees from students seeking admission into public primary and secondary schools. Olaolu Akindolire, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, issued a stern warning in a circular released in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday. According to the circular, […]

The Ondo State government has announced a crackdown on public school principals who are collecting unauthorised fees from students seeking admission into public primary and secondary schools.

Olaolu Akindolire, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, issued a stern warning in a circular released in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.

According to the circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Folasade Adegoke, the state government has become aware that some school heads are imposing additional levies beyond those officially approved for the ongoing 2024 admission process.

Akindolire stressed that the state government has provided an approved list of acceptable fees for both public primary and secondary schools. He warned against any further financial burdens on parents, specifying that new students entering public primary schools should not pay more than N5,000, while those entering public secondary schools should not exceed N14,000.

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The approved fees cover various charges including PTA levies, examinations, ICT, sports development, utilities, medical services, security, entrepreneurship/agriculture, CASS, running expenses, and administrative costs for external examinations.

The circular also instructed that new students must bring specific items for registration: one hoe, one cutlass, a locker and chair, a broom, and two file jackets.

Akindolire clarified that principals and head-teachers are not authorised to collect fees for textbooks and school uniforms. Instead, they should provide parents and guardians with samples of recommended uniforms and a list of required textbooks.

He reiterated that any additional items or fees collected outside the state government’s approved list are prohibited, and stern action will be taken against any violators.