Abia govt moves against alleged extortion of pupils by schools

The Abia State Government has granted approval to the state’s Ministry of Education to provide funds and running costs for the offices of Heads of Schools in the state.

This move is intended to address issues of illegal fee collections and alleviate pressure on school heads.

The decision follows allegations that some schools have been collecting illegal fees from pupils in primary and secondary schools.

Addressing journalists at Government House Umuahia after this week’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, stated that the move aligns with the ongoing reforms in Abia State’s education sector.

“Hitherto, we used to hear stories of illegal fee collections, possibly due to pressure on the heads of such institutions. So, the state government has taken steps to make this a thing of the past by providing funds for the heads of primary and secondary schools in the state,” Kanu explained.

Kanu also noted that the state government has successfully completed 124 road projects as part of its zero-pothole initiative. This effort is part of the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, with a principal focus on Aba and Umuahia.

He added that the registration of all commercial vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles operating in the state is ongoing to ensure the security of citizens. He urged affected vehicle owners to comply with the registration process before enforcement begins.

Contributing, the Chairman of the Abia State Unified Task Force and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Azubuike, explained that the registration policy aims to identify the owners or operators of commercial vehicles in Abia, assisting security agents in their work.

Abia govt moves against alleged extortion of pupils by schools