Niger: Governor Bago abolishes PTA levy in schools

• Urged parents to enroll girl child in school

From John Adams, Minna

Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago has abolished the payment of Parent Teachers Association (PTA) levies in all public schools in the state to encourage more enrolment of children in schools.

The governor stated that the state government will take over the payment of such levies to reduce the burden on parents and increase the enrolment of children, especially girls, in school.

The governor announced this on Thursday in Sarkin Pawa, the headquarters of Munya Local Government Area, during his statewide tour of ongoing projects. He warned headmasters and principals of public primary and secondary schools to stop collecting PTA levies from any student, assuring that “anyone found wanting would be sanctioned accordingly.”

The governor urged parents to enrol their children, particularly girls, in school, emphasising that school uniforms should not be a barrier to education. According to him, children can attend school in their personal clothes and do not necessarily need uniforms.

“Allow your children to go to school. School uniform should not be an impediment, and any teacher who sends your child back home because of a uniform should be reported. Such a teacher will also be sent packing from the school,” Bago warned.

Bago reiterated that the government has taken responsibility for PTA levies for all children in public schools in the state and advised parents and guardians not to pay these levies anymore.

While inspecting ongoing projects in the area, the governor expressed satisfaction with the quality of work by various contractors and urged them to maintain standards and ensure timely completion of the projects.

Bago also promised to complete the Sarkin Pawa to Kaduna State road project, which started in 2002, in addition to constructing a modern market, providing potable drinking water, and establishing a primary healthcare centre for the people, among other initiatives.

The Chairman of Munya Local Council, Aminu Najumi, and other political leaders, including the Commissioner of Lands and Housing, Barrister Moses Magaji, and Mr Peter Sankara, commended the governor for his people-oriented projects. They described his achievements in office over the past one year and seven months as unprecedented. They noted that the area is now experiencing relative peace after years of banditry and praised the governor for deploying adequate security agents to protect lives and property.