Governor bans collection of PTA fees in public schools

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has banned collection of Parents Teachers Association fees for pupils in public primary and secondary schools across the state.

Bago disclosed this on Thursday during an official visit to Sarkin Pawa in Munya Local Government Area as part of his inspection of ongoing projects in the area.

He stated that the state government had taken over the responsibility of PTA payments for all children in public school.

“This government has taken over the responsibility of PTA fees for all children in public schools across Niger State. Parents and guardians are no longer required to pay PTA fees for their wards,” Bago said.

He added, “Headmasters and principals in public schools must desist from collecting PTA fees from pupils. Any school official found violating this directive will be appropriately sanctioned.”

The governor also urged parents to enroll their children in school, emphasizing the importance of girl-child education.

He noted that the lack of uniforms should not deter any child from attending school.

“Allow your children to go to school, even if they don’t have uniforms. School uniforms should not be a barrier. Any teacher who sends a child home for not wearing a uniform should be reported, and such a teacher will be removed from the school,” he warned.

During the visit, Governor Bago expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing road projects in the area.

He promised to construct a road linking Sarkin Pawa to Kaduna State, build a modern market, and provide potable drinking water for residents.

He also urged contractors handling the projects to ensure timely completion, emphasizing the importance of the developments to the people of Munya Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barr. Moses Magaji, and his counterpart, Peter Sankara, described Bago’s achievements within his first year in office as unprecedented, noting that his projects were people-oriented.

Bago’s decision comes days after Abia State Governor, Alex Otti also stopped all forms of payments in public primary and secondary schools in the state, including PTA levies.

The announcement was contained in a New Year broadcast the governor made to the Abia people.

According to Otti, ” As soon as the new school term begins later in the month, it will be unlawful to find any child outside the walls of the classroom during school hours.

“We have stopped all forms of payments in the primary and secondary schools, not even PTA levies should be charged any parent or guardian in any public school in the State.”

He disclosed that an imprest account system for the running of schools has been introduced for Headteachers and school Principals to manage the day-to-day operations of their schools, warning that no child should be extorted or denied opportunities to education.

“We shall be strict with enforcement and it will be a grievous mistake to test our will”, Otti warned the public school administrators and teachers.”

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