Angry parents of Federal Government College (FGC) Ikot Ekpene in Ikot Ekpene local government area of Akwa Ibom State, have rejected the recent increase in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) levy by over 100 per cent.
The federal government has increased the levy across all Unity Schools from N5,000 to N12,000, forcing the parents to petition the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
They lamented that such a unilateral decision, without recourse to consultation before reaching a consensus, was insensitive, undemocratic, and dictatorial, considering the prevailing socio-economic challenges facing most parents in the country.
Urging the federal government to revert to the old order, the distraught parents noted that such an additional burden would negatively impact their ability to effectively fund their children’s education.
In a petition originating from Rotimi Aremu & Associates and signed by more than 250 parents and made available to journalists in Uyo, the state capital, the aggrieved parents urged Alausa to reverse the increment, considering the hardships faced by Nigerians.
The petition, signed by Mr Reuben Sampson Esq, Ethan Usang, Mrs Grace Ben, Jane Enobong, Nenna Kalu, Barr Tessy, and Henrietta Chidinma Nnenna, amongst others, explained that the PTA Exco planned the increment without the parents’ consent.
Parts of the petition read: “Our clients have drawn our attention to the letter credited to the parent-teachers association of the Unity Colleges for the approval of PTA levy from N5,000 to 12,000, as it applies to FGC Ikot Ekpene, taking effect from the third term of the 2024/2025 academic session.
“The implication of the said circular authorising new levy is that the executive members of the PTA body of the FGC Ikot Ekpene have grossly misconceived or lack understanding of the content of the circular, coming from the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education to the extent of the fact, that such increment need to follow a proper procedure before arriving at a particular amount.
“A closer perusal of the circular in paragraph suggests that “The approval and maximum PTA levy is 12,000 per term, and that “you are advised to bring the contents of this circular are communicated to the PTA of your College.”
Last month, the retired permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education sent a circular to all Unity Schools notifying them of the increment, but the parents in the petition faulted the decision, arguing that the Permanent Secretary acted in bad faith without asking the PTA Exco whether they sought the parents’ consent for approval before the approval.
“The permanent secretary’s directive, according to the circular in a proper context is subject to ratification or deliberation of the members of the PTA of each school in a properly constituted meeting or assembly and take a decision of the actual amount and increased the said PTA levy accordingly.
“That the executive members of the PTA FGC Ikot Ekpene hastily increased the (PTA) levy to 12,000 and issued remital to the students for onward payment without calling for emergency meeting to deliberate a certain amount that will be suitable for the approval and acceptance in line with the ministry’s instruction.
“That the executive in a bid to enrich themselves through this avenue went beyond the instruction or directive of the permanent secretary to issue out remital to the SS3 and JSS3 students, compelling them to pay additional N7,000 as PTA levy, while the said students paid the PTA levy cumulatively with the second and third terms PTA levy respectively. The evidence are there at the school portal for your confirmation.”
They explained that the PTA Executive acted in error as the circular was not meant to be implemented in retrospect.
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