Ekiti State Governo Kayode Fayemi yesterday signed an executive order to ban “illegal” fees in public schools in the state.
The governor also approved N200 million car and housing loans for teachers in public schools, saying the loans would be disbursed on or before November 15.
He said the gesture was to boost teachers’ morale, adding that payment of arrears of salaries owed by the last administration would commence soon.
Speaking after signing the executive order, Fayemi said it provided for free and compulsory education in government-owned primary and secondary schools.
The executive order, according to him, makes provisions for stiffer sanctions and penalties for school principals and head teachers extorting pupils and students through illegal fees.
He said the action was taken because of reports that school heads were still collecting illegal fees after his pronouncement banning same last Wednesday.
The governor expressed dismay that some principals and head teachers were still extorting students under the pretext of collecting “voluntary donations.”
Fayemi stressed that the executive order would prevent any of such illegality in schools, eliminate school dropout and encourage children’s enrollment.
He urged parents to report any head of schools who asked their children for money to the Ministry of Education for necessary action.
