Imo State Bans Extortion in Private Schools

The Imo State Government has issued a directive banning all forms of extortion and arbitrary charges in private schools, as announced by the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard-Thompson O. Ikegwuoha.

This warning followed a tripartite meeting aimed at reviewing new regulations for private schools. Ikegwuoha specifically prohibited schools from demanding items such as toilet rolls and cutlasses as conditions for admission into Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) and Senior Secondary School One (SSS1).

He threatened to revoke the licenses of any schools that do not comply with this directive, which takes effect immediately. Additionally, he stated that parents should not be compelled to purchase textbooks until a joint committee, comprising private school proprietors and the State Education Management Board, finalizes standardized textbook prices.

The commissioner also mandated that all schools issue receipts for tuition fees, itemizing other levies to ensure transparency. Furthermore, PTA levies must be determined by two parents and a teacher, with funds managed accordingly.