The Ondo State Government has rolled out fresh directives for the management of private schools in the state, warning proprietors against unapproved excursions, compulsory extra lessons, and exploitation of parents through yearly purchase of new textbooks.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ajibefun, issued the directives during a meeting with school owners in Akure, stressing that excursions without prior clearance from the Ministry would no longer be tolerated in view of prevailing security concerns across the nation.
He further cautioned schools against making extra lessons compulsory for students after normal classes, adding that such practices must be optional and not exploitative.
On the issue of textbooks, the Commissioner declared that siblings of a pupil can continue to use the same textbook for a period of time, thereby ending the yearly imposition of new books on parents.
Prof. Ajibefun also revealed that the digitization of all schools in the state is ongoing, with plans to migrate pupils and students to a new digital platform designed by the Ministry.
He maintained that the government would not compromise on standards, warning that any school unable to meet the “irreducible minimum” should seek another line of business.
In their response, proprietors and proprietresses of private schools commended the Governor for appointing a professor to head the Ministry, describing it as a positive step for the sector. They, however, appealed for more time to complete school accreditation processes and urged the government to reduce bureaucracy in its dealings with private institutions.
Bisi Lawani
Ministry of Education
