Extortion: Refund money to parents or face sanction, Commissioner warns Kwara principals

The Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Bilikisu Oniyangi has warned school principals who have collected illicit money to refund the affected parents or face sanction from the appropriate quarters.
The Commissioner, in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Press Secretary of the ministry, Kamaldeen Aliagan, decried the prevalence of illegal fees collection by school heads adding that the state government has no tolerance for extortion.
According to the statement, Oniyangi, during unscheduled inspection and monitoring of schools in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state, noted that some schools were still collecting fees above the  levies ratified by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA).
She however expressed her dismay that despite severe warnings and suspension of their colleagues for extortion in some parts of the state, some principals in Kaiama were yet to desist from the act.
The Commissioner therefore ordered the affected principals to immediately refund the extra money collected from parents or face the consequence.
She also warned principals in the state to be upright and dedicated to their work, as there would be no clemency for anyone found sabotaging government’s efforts in providing qualitative and free education to the teeming populace of the state.”
Some of the schools visited included; Government Day Secondary School Kaiama, Mora Tasude Secondary School, Government Unity College and GSS Tonda Aboki, all in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
In a related development, the ministry has warned against extortion of candidates for the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) by school principals.
A statement from the Ministry of Education stated that the approved fees for Junior School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) 2019 is N2,500 only.
According to the statement, “The Commissioner for Education, Hajia Bilkisu Oniyangi wants to inform the general public that the approved fee for Junior School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) 2019 is N2,500 only.
“Any principal found wanting in this regard will be seriously dealt with in accordance with the Civil Service rule.
“She however enjoined all parents and guardians to report any principal that demands above N2,500 to the  Ministry for appropriate actions.”