Few days ago, the video of a 7-year-old lass, Success Adebor, ranting over the fact that her school authorities sent her home because she had not paid her school fees and other levies, went viral on the internet.
A lot of social media users, including celebrities volunteered to pay her school fees and even give her a full scholarship, other Nigerians were outraged by the school authorities for resorting to sending students away whenever their parents fail to pay their fees.
The state government has reacted to the video.
In a recent interview with Punch, the state Commissioner for Education, Chiedu Ebie, noted that the state government operated a free education policy and it was illegal for the school authority to demand examination levy or any other unauthorized levies from pupils.
He added that an investigation has commenced into the matter and that he will be visiting the school later.
“The fact is that we (government) operate free education policy in Delta State.
We discovered overtime that some school heads take the laws into their hands by imposing illegal levies. We have battled this in the last three and half years of this administration. We have had school heads suspended and demoted.
Once again, this is another case of a school head taking the laws into her hands and imposing levies that ought not to be imposed on the pupils. We have what we referred to as ‘approved levy’ in our schools. It is issued by the ministry (of education). The approved levy is N100 for consumables and no school head has the right to collect above N100.
Also, for sports wears because of inter-house sports and other sporting activities, we have a flat rate of N750. It’s clearly specified and clearly defined. In this case, I understand that it was exam levy of N800 and a levy for a book of N1,000 and another one for N300.
Let’s give her the opportunity to hear from her. The video has been trending for the last two days and she must be aware of it. If I am not convinced or satisfied with her response, then judgement or punishment will be meted out to anyone caught culpable pending the conclusion of a more detailed investigation in line with civil service rules.” he said