Mr Ini Ememobong, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Akwa Ibom State.
By Abasifreke Effiong
Despite approving a levy of N500 in secondary schools, the Akwa Ibom state government said it is still committed to running free and compulsory education in her public schools.
The Dune had exclusively reported that the state government has approved reintroduction of levy in secondary schools.
Principals of secondary schools in the state said the state government had on January 2, directed them to collect N500 levy from all secondary school students to enable them run their schools.
Public schools in the state are run with subvention of N100 per pupil per term in primary schools and N200 per student in secondary schools.
RELATED STORY : Akwa Ibom teachers struggle with more workload after withdrawal of N-POWER teachers
The state government failed to pay the subvention for two terms in 2019/2020 academic session. It did not pay subvention for 2020/2021 academic session as of the end of second term in January, forcing principals to buy stationary and chalk for schools with their salary or on credit.
Advertisement.
In a press release on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Ini Ememobong said the “state government is still fully committed to the sustenance of the free and compulsory education policy currently in force.”
He said the state government will not collect money from students or their parents.
READ MORE : 15 people die in mysterious stream called ‘Pond of death’ in Nasarawa
“Government does not receive and has not indicated any interest to receive money from pupils and students or their parents. However, where parents, groups or communities, in response to the clarion call for contributory development of Education in the state, choose to voluntarily support schools, government shall not be opposed to it.”
“We urge all citizens to continue to support the Government’s drive to ensure qualitative education at all levels. Parents, guardians, responsible companies and community leaders are encouraged to contribute and participate in the development of education in the state”, the Commissioner added.
Meanwhile, The Dune learnt that principals of secondary schools in the state have asked students to pay a levy of N500 as schools resume for third term.
