The Ondo State government has issued a new requirement for students enrolling in public primary and secondary schools. As part of the registration process, new students are required to bring specific items, including a hoe, a cutlass, a broom, a locker, a chair, and two file jackets.
This directive was outlined by Olaolu Akindolire, the state commissioner for education, science, and technology, through a circular aimed at instructing the heads of government-owned schools not to impose additional levies on new students. The circular, which was signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Folasade Adegoke, specifies the approved list of items that can be collected from new students in public primary and secondary schools, and this list has been distributed to all school principals and headteachers.
The circular mandates that all new students must come to their chosen schools with one hoe, one cutlass, a locker, a chair, a broom, and two file jackets during their registration. According reports, the total fees for new students enrolling in primary schools have been set at N5,000, while those enrolling in secondary schools are to pay a maximum of N14,000.
These fees are intended to cover various expenses, including the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levy, examination fees, ICT fees, sports development, utility fees, medical fees, security fees, entrepreneurial and agricultural activities, Continuous Assessment Score Sheets (CASS), running costs, and administrative charges for external examinations, among other things.
Commissioner Akindolire emphasized that school principals and headteachers must not place additional financial burdens on parents. He specifically noted that no school head is authorized to demand payment for textbooks or uniforms. Instead, they are required to provide parents and guardians with samples of the recommended uniforms and a list of the suggested textbooks.
He also warned school principals and headteachers against requesting any items or imposing any additional levies on prospective students beyond those approved by the state government.
