Why We Canceled Levies In Our Schools - Ogun Commissioner For Education

By Mercy James, Abeokuta

  The Ogun State Government has revealed that the cancellation of levies in public schools across the State is to tackle the cases of out-of-school children and further enhance education standards.

     

     The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu stated this in Abeokuta, while receiving the executive members of the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Ogun State Branch, adding that the target of the present administration was to eliminate illiteracy, encourage access to qualitative learning, and promote mass education for the betterment of the citizenry.

    

      The Special Adviser assured that the State was working on a sustainable model to have an annual intervention fund that would be released to schools from the elementary level for the rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure, appealing to Headteachers to cooperate with the government in its aim at repositioning schools for quality outputs.

   

       He said, "we are encouraging parents to join hands with the government to manage our schools, without necessarily placing any levies on learners that can disrupt the learning activities of those who cannot pay. No, we don't want that in Ogun State".

    

      In his appreciation note, the State Chairman, AOPSHON, Comrade Dauda Sanusi, lauded the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration for the prompt payment of workers' salaries in the State, release of promotion on a regular basis, the donation of two plots of land for the Association’s Secretariat, release of leave allowances and donation of brand new 18-Seaters Bus, pledging the Association’s unalloyed support at all times.

   

       Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi has restated the present administration’s determination to continually cater for the welfare and well-being of teachers in both Public Primary and Secondary Schools across the State.

    

      Prof. Arigbabu said this in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, while playing host to the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Ogun State branch, noting that concerted efforts would be made to enhance efficient and effective education system, and promised regular engagement with relevant stakeholders on their needs.