In line with the Delta State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on extortion under the MORE Agenda, the Ministry of Secondary Education has ordered principals and school staff who collected fees beyond the approved amounts to refund the excess to parents and students without delay.
The directive was announced during a key stakeholders’ engagement meeting organized by the Ministry, which brought together the Functioning Permanent Secretary and representatives from both public and private education sectors to discuss ongoing challenges and ways to improve service delivery in the state’s secondary education system.
The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, emphasized that any principal or staff member found to have collected unauthorized fees must return the excess within 72 working hours and provide verifiable proof of the refund. He warned that anyone who fails to comply will face strict disciplinary action.
At the end of the meeting, the Ministry reached several resolutions, which take immediate effect. These include a zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice, with any school or individual found guilty facing severe sanctions in line with existing regulations.
The Ministry explained that these measures are intended to protect parents and students, restore discipline, promote fairness, and enhance the overall quality of secondary education in Delta State. It added that monitoring and enforcement efforts will be strengthened, and defaulters will be dealt with firmly.
