Oyo Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Rahman Abiodun Abdul-Raheem has warned those he described as peddlers of falsehood and calumny to seize from their evil plots against the education ministry, saying the campaign will fail.
The Commissioner was reacting to an anonymous post which was given a viral publicity on the social media. It alleged that some officials of the Ministry have been taxing principals and Vice Principals of Secondary schools in the process of registering students for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Examinations and the National Examination Council Examinations, saying the allegation has no iota of truth.
The unsigned post which had enjoyed viral publicity on the social media alleged among other things that officials of the State have been charging additional N600 per student who register for the examinations. The additional fund was shared by the officials of the ministry, the post-primary Education Service Commission (TESCOM), ANCOPPS executives and Tutors General.
The publication addressed his Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde as well alleged that some people have been giving inducements to get appointments at the TESCOM. School heads are left to cough out huge amount of money who showed up on unscheduled inspections.
While engaging the issues, the Education Commissioner in the State stated that they are nothing but false, unfounded allegations, targeted at frustrating the good deeds of the incumbent government in the educational sector.
He defended the officials of the Ministry, TESCOM or ANCOPPS, against the allegations of bribery. He said the process that leads to the appointment of principals is a transparent process and based on merit and that no head of any school is required to pay any amount during the visit of officials to schools. He even insisted that there isn’t proof of such allegation.
According to him, Oyo State, which charges a total sum of N22,000 per student for WAEC examinations is one of the most considerate states in the country, adding that some states charge higher fees.
The Commissioner stated: “In Oyo State, the total package for WAEC and NECO is N22,000 per candidate. That is far less than what some other states charge their students. His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde had decided that while the state remains committed to the free and qualitative education policy, payment for external examinations should be the responsibility of parents.
“The said N22, 000 is inclusive of the N600 administrative charge per student, which is always determined in consultation with the Parents Teachers Association, Principals, and other stakeholders. “The administrative charge is used to cover attendant administration charges and it is not meant to tax anybody.
“The Ministry under my watch will not be involved in any shaddy financial dealing. While we condemn the dangerous campaign aimed at destroying the good image of the current administration, we urge anyone who has a genuine complaint against any official in the education sector to report such to the appropriate authorities promptly.
“Let me place on record that this is a clear campaign of calumny being orchestrated by politically-minded characters who are not bold enough to identify themselves. We will not be deterred by their uncomplimentary antics.
“I also wish to assure the public that the campaign of calumny will fail as far as none of the stakeholders in the education sector of Oyo State is ready to do anything that would tarnish the image of the state.
“Education remains a major pillar of the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and we are determined to keep pushing the frontiers of excellence in that sector. His Excellency and the entire team of the current administration are doing everything humanly possible to leave a legacy of enviable people-centred and result-oriented public service behind and as such saboteurs and anti-people elements in the society should engage themselves elsewhere. The people of Oyo State are now wiser.
“I, therefore, reassure the people of Oyo State to discountenance the frivolous allegations making the rounds via the social media post, rest assured that our commitment to excellence in the education sector will not waiver.”
