NIGERIA: Kwara State Scraps PTA Levy In Public Schools

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Kwara State Government has abolished the payment of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy in all public primary schools across the state, replacing it with annual school grants to support school operations.

Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, announced this at the opening of the bid for the 2024 third and fourth quarters of the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects in Ilorin.

According to him, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the decision to ease the financial burden on parents and promote free, quality education.

Adaramaja said: “The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA in all public primary schools in the state, from Primary 1 to 6. No more payment of PTA in Kwara State. ”

He explained that the government would now provide running costs for the 1,717 public primary schools in the state.

Adaramaja also disclosed that the governor approved the procurement and free distribution of English and Mathematics textbooks for all pupils in public schools.

Speaking on the ongoing intervention projects, he said: “The intervention also covers the remodelling and renovation of classrooms, drilling of solar-powered boreholes with tank stands, and the procurement of teaching and learning materials for foundation literacy.”

He added that furniture and safety measures under the Safe Schools Initiative would also be provided in selected local governments.

Adaramaja revealed that the governor had approved the payment of the 2025 counterpart funds for the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects and warned contractors against substandard work.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, the Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, commended the government for its transparency and assured of quality project delivery.