The Oyo State Government has reiterated that the ban on the collection of illegal levies in public schools was still in force, warning that it would deal with anyone contravening the ban.
This is coming on the heels of reports that some errant teachers, compelled pupils to pay for the ongoing second-term unified promotion examination, for public primary schools.
The Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, gave the warning in Ibadan while monitoring the exams.
According to him, the present administration in Oyo State, since inception has been responsible for the printing of question and answer sheets for its unified examination exercise, explaining that the government has ensured the examination timetable is adhered to by all schools in the state.
He said that the government cancelled the payment of fees by pupils and students in public, regretting that despite this, the government has discovered that some errant staff imposed illegal fees in some areas.
Adeniran advised parents and guardians to report any case of collection of illegal fees to the Board, adding that the government is alive to its responsibilities.
“Let me begin by apologising to parents and guardians whose pupils were forced to bring money for examinations. This is not from the Board, and I will appeal to such parents to report the teachers to the Board. The Oyo State Government has ensured that all necessary arrangements are put in place for a hitch-free examination exercise. We paid for the printing and delivery of question and answer sheets”, he said.
Adeniran added, “We are committed to the free and compulsory universal basic education, hence, no school or head teacher found imposing or collecting any levy not approved by the government, will go unpunished. The Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has been regular in the payment of the Oyo State counterpart fund with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), hence, we access our funds and use them to develop infrastructure and capacity of personnel.”
Adeniran explained that the campaign against examination malpractice and truancy in public schools was yielding the desired result.
He also commended the smooth conduct of examinations in the centres visited.
According to him, teams from the Board are in other zones of the state to monitor the ongoing examination exercise.
The Coordinating Director, OYOSUBEB, MOlaide Ladipo, Deputy Directors, and Assistant Directors were on the monitoring team of the Chairman.
Schools visited on Tuesday were: Community Basic School, 1&2, Olorunsogo; Community Primary School, Olosunde; Atolu Model School 1-4, Oremeji; among others.
Schools visited today 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.
