By ALABA OLUSOLA OKE

Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, says allegations of illegal school fees collections in the public schools by some school administrators are being investigated.

Ajibefun stated this at the Fiwasaye Girls’ School, Akure on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at moving the sector forward.

The commissioner said area education officers in all the local government areas of the state had been directed to submit their records on collection of fees to the ministry.

He also said all the complainants were to show evidence of the allegations, and assured stakeholders that the government would get to the root of the matter.

According to him, anyone found culpable will be decisively dealt with, hence, school principals and head teachers should be very careful, and desist from putting unnecessary burden on parents, and guardians.

Ajibefun also asked the National Association of Proprietors of Private School (NAPPS) to advice its members to regulate charges on school fees to ease the pressure on parents and guardians.

The commissioner stressed the need for stakeholders to work together to move the education sector in the state forward, as the government alone could not fund education.

“All private schools should migrate to digital platforms, as directed by the state government, to meet the minimum standards and improve education in the state.

“Only 40 per cent of the private schools in the state are able to present proper records of their schools’ administration and management.

“The state government needs appropriate data of schools in the state for proper planning and policy implementation for the development of the education sector,” he said.

Ajibefun commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his pragmatic approach to infrastructure in the education sector.

Responding, Mr Isaac Ogunyemi, state Assistant Secretary of NAPPS, highlighted challenges being faced by private schools in the state.

Ogunyemi said NAPPS was not against digitalisation and data driven education, and advised the state government to extend help to private schools.

He reminded the commissioner that students in private schools were also citizens of the state and should benefit from government support.

In her remarks, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole, President of Fiwasaye Old Students Association, urged the government to encourage old students’ association in all schools in the state.

Kolawole said this could spur them to contribute their quota to the development of schools.

She also urged the government to introduce entrepreneurship skill initiatives in all schools in the state.

Also, Mrs Fadekemi Jogbodo, state Chairperson of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), called for a digital platform to track various projects in schools for effective implementation.

Jogbodo said the ministry should also create a digital platform where parents and guardians could make payments of their children and ward school fees. (NAN)