It has come to the knowledge of Abia State Ministry of Education that some Heads of public schools are charging students and pupils for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially for face masks. This is very unfair and must be stopped immediately with such illegally collected payments refunded without any delay.
The Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has provided enough face masks and hand sanitizers for exit students and their teachers; these items have been distributed through the DESs and Education Secretaries to all schools.
This was made known by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Abia State, Dr. Kanelechi Nwangwa who made this available to the press stating that the public should report any demand for unapproved fees.
‘There is, therefore, no reason whatsoever for anybody to charge any student or pupil for these items already provided. Anybody found doing this or refusing to refund the monies already wrongly collected, will have himself/herself to blame for any consequences therefrom.
All should be properly guided.
Similarly, any private school charging returning pupils and students any fees related to COViD-19 will be sanctioned by the government.
Members of the public are advised to report demands for payment of unapproved fees and levies from private and public schools to the undersigned via 08033187582.’
