Ogun Warns Against Collection of Illegal Fees in Public Schools

The Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has issued a stern warning to principals, vice principals, and teachers in public secondary schools across the state to desist from collecting unauthorised fees or levies from students.

The Chairman of the Commission, Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, gave the warning while featuring on a television programme in Abeokuta, stressing that any school administrator or teacher found guilty of such acts would face strict disciplinary sanctions.

Apostle Sanyaolu reaffirmed that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration remains fully committed to its free education policy, which guarantees access to quality education without any form of financial burden on learners.

“The present administration has made it clear that no student in public primary or secondary school should be charged any kind of levy. Ogun State’s education reform agenda is built on free and qualitative learning opportunities for all,” he said.

He warned that any act capable of undermining this policy would not be tolerated, adding that the government’s goal is to promote academic excellence and equal educational opportunities across the state.

The TESCOM boss further urged teachers and school staff to utilise the whistleblower platform to report unethical practices, assuring that the Commission is committed to maintaining transparency and accountability within the education system.

Speaking on the implementation of the new national curriculum recently introduced by the Federal Government, Apostle Sanyaolu disclosed that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, TESCOM, and other relevant agencies are working collaboratively to ensure smooth adoption across schools in the state.

He also noted that TESCOM had taken proactive steps to ensure equitable distribution of teachers, adding that the recently engaged Ogun TEACh interns will further strengthen the teaching workforce and enhance classroom performance.

Apostle Sanyaolu commended school administrators, Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), and Old Students’ Associations for their continued cooperation with the government, urging them to sustain efforts in promoting discipline among students.

Highlighting TESCOM’s efforts to instill positive values in learners, he revealed that all public secondary schools have been directed to incorporate the inspiring Yoruba adage “Ise Lo’gun Ise” — meaning “Work is the antidote to poverty” — into their morning assembly routines to reinforce the virtues of diligence, hard work, and perseverance.