The Ogun State Government has cautioned principals, vice principals, and teachers in all public secondary schools to desist from collecting unauthorised fees from students, warning that anyone found guilty will face severe sanctions.
Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Apostle ‘Biodun Sanyaolu, issued the warning while speaking on a television programme in Abeokuta. He reiterated that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun remains fully committed to the free education policy, which guarantees access to quality education without financial burden on students.
“The present administration has made it clear that no learner in public primary or secondary schools should be charged any form of levy,” Apostle Sanyaolu said. “Any act capable of undermining this effort will not be tolerated.”
He explained that the free education initiative is part of the government’s broader education reform agenda aimed at ensuring qualitative learning and promoting academic excellence across the state.
Sanyaolu also encouraged teachers and other education workers to make use of the whistleblower platform to report unethical practices within the school system. He reaffirmed TESCOM’s commitment to maintaining transparency, accountability, and discipline in public schools.
On the implementation of the new national curriculum introduced by the Federal Government, the TESCOM Chairman disclosed that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, TESCOM, and other relevant agencies are working collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition.
He further noted that the Commission is addressing teacher distribution challenges across secondary schools, adding that the recently recruited Ogun TEACh interns will help strengthen the existing teaching workforce and enhance overall performance.
Apostle Sanyaolu commended school administrators, Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), and Old Students’ Associations for their continued support, urging them to sustain their partnership with the government in fostering discipline among students.
He also revealed that TESCOM has introduced moral instruction sessions during school assemblies to promote positive values among learners.
“TESCOM has made it mandatory for all secondary schools to incorporate into their morning devotion periods the inspiring Yoruba adage ‘Ise lo’gun ise’, meaning ‘Work is the antidote to poverty.’ This is to instill a culture of hard work, diligence, and perseverance in our students,” he added.
