Saheed Ibrahim 

The Ondo State Government has again handed down a stern warning against extortion of admission seekers into public schools under any guise during the ongoing 2024/2025 admission process.

Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, while monitoring school resumption in Akure, said the state government still operates the free education policy in public schools across the state.

Recall The Hope investigation exposed how public secondary schools in the state force parents to buy books and uniforms from them against the directive of the government. 

Reading the riot act to the school heads, the Commissioner warned that no school is authorized to sell recommended books or compel parents to buy uniforms from the school or any particular vendor.

According to him, they are to make available the list of recommended textbooks and samples of the school uniform while parents are to get the materials from any place of their choice.

The Commissioner also directed that the list of collectibles, as approved by the state government, be placed at conspicuous places within the school premises where parents can access them.

He warned against putting additional burden on parents under the guise of selling school uniforms, recommended textbooks, or customized notebooks, adding that anyone caught in the act would be sanctioned appropriately.

Mr. Akindolire, therefore, called on parents or guardians who have proof of extortion by any school head under whatever guide to come to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology with such evidence, assuring that the government would take it up with such school.

He, however, commended the enthusiasm and commitment of both teachers and students during the first day of resumption and assured all parents and wards that no admission seeker into public secondary schools would be left unadmitted.

While monitoring the resumption for the 2024-2025 academic session in the state capital, the Commissioner and his team visited several schools, which include Ijapo High School, Adegbola Memorial Grammar School, St Louis Girls Grammar School, and CAC Grammar School.

He expressed satisfaction with the activities in the schools and charged the principals and the teachers to ensure students are exposed to the quality and affordable education Ondo State is known for.