The Kwara State Government has officially scrapped the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy across all public primary schools, replacing it with state-funded annual school grants.
The decision, announced on Saturday during the opening of bids for the 2024 third and fourth quarter Universal Basic Education Commission/State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC/SUBEB) intervention projects, was revealed by Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
He emphasized that the policy takes immediate effect, prohibiting the collection of PTA fees from Primary 1 to 6 pupils.
"The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA in all public primary schools in the state. From Primary 1 to 6, no more payment of PTA in Kwara State," Adaramaja declared, highlighting the government's commitment to making education truly free and accessible.
To bridge the funding gap left by the levy, traditionally used for school maintenance, supplies, and extracurricular activities—the administration has greenlit annual grants for at least 1,717 public primary schools statewide.
These grants will cover essential running costs, with disbursements flagged off immediately to ensure seamless operations.
The announcement aligns with broader educational reforms under Governor AbdulRazaq's administration, which also includes the free distribution of English and Mathematics textbooks to all Primary 1 to 6 pupils.
Additionally, the state has approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB projects, focusing on infrastructure upgrades such as constructing classroom blocks with offices, VIP toilets, solar-powered boreholes, classroom renovations, digital literacy rehabilitation, and safe school initiatives in select local governments.
"This intervention will not only sustain school activities but also foster an environment conducive to learning," Adaramaja added, noting the procurement of foundation literacy materials for Primary 1 pupils and the fabrication of two-seater desks for students.
The PTA levy, a common practice in Nigerian public schools to supplement inadequate government funding, has long been a point of contention, often burdening low-income households and exacerbating dropout rates.
Kwara's bold step is expected to benefit over 200,000 primary school pupils across the state's 16 local government areas, promoting equity in education.
Education stakeholders have hailed the policy as a game-changer. "This is a relief for parents who have struggled with multiple levies amid rising living costs," said Hajiya Aisha Mohammed, a parent and member of the Kwara Parents Forum.
"It signals the government's genuine intent to prioritize children's rights to free basic education as enshrined in the Child Rights Act."
Governor AbdulRazaq's office reiterated the initiative's role in the state's education renaissance, building on programs like KwaraLEARN, which leverages technology for improved learning outcomes.
Officials urged school administrators to comply fully, warning against any unauthorized collections.
As implementation begins, the policy underscores Kwara's push toward sustainable development goals in education, potentially setting a precedent for other states grappling with similar fiscal challenges in public schooling.
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