Group calls for reintroduction of PTA levy in Ogun public schools

The National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) has called for the reintroduction of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy in public primary and secondary schools to ease the financial burden on the state government.

It subsequently called for a meeting between the representatives of parents, teachers, public school administrators and other stakeholder, for the review of the PTA levy and come up with a reasonable amount that would not be too difficult for parents to pay.

The meeting, according to a statement by the national president of NAOSS, Oluwagbemileke Ogunrombi, is necessitated by the economic meltdown occasioned by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Dapo Abiodun had last year ordered the suspension of the levy and other fees being paid by pupils of public primary and secondary schools in the state. He then reintroduced the payment of running cost to public schools, insisting that his administration was totally committed to free education.

While lauding the governor’s gesture, the students stressed the need for the government to review its decision in view of the present economic realities.

According to NAOSS, the virtual meeting will hold on Monday, July 27 with representatives of PTAs in all the three senatorial districts of the state.

The students’ body argued that the suspension of PTA levy would put more strains on government finances, especially in the face of dwindling revenue.

“We want to call on parents, teachers, school administrators in public schools and other stakeholders to be reasonable and reconsider the payment of PTA levy in public schools as this will further ease the financial burden on government”.

“We are not discouraging the government from providing free education, but parents must also be committed to the education of their children and the payment of the PTA levy serves as a form of commitment on the part of the parents.

“We know Governor Abiodun has good intentions for the people of the state, we are also aware that as a good administrator, he meant well for the state but the government cannot do it alone, there is need for the people to also contribute their own quota to the development of the state. We urge our parents not to see this call as imposing more hardship on them, but see it as a form of commitment to their children’s education and as a way of contributing their quota towards the development of the education sector.”