Oyo charges not more than N22,000 for WAEC, NECO ― Commissioner

The Oyo State government has said the total sum it charges each student for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations is N22,000.

This sum, according to a statement by the state commissioner for education, science and technology, Mr Abiodun Abdu-raheem, is inclusive of N600 administrative charge.

He said the administrative fee was arrived at in consultation with the Parents Teachers Association, Principals, and other stakeholders.

Abdu-raheem stated this on Thursday, in responding to reports in some quarters that officials of the state are charging an additional N600 per student for WAEC, NECO and the money is being shared among officials of the Ministry, the Post-Primary Education Service Commission (TESCOM), executive members of ANCOPPS and Tutors General.

Abdu-Raheem chided those he called purveyors of a campaign of calumny against the education family in the state.

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He further described reports that officials of the Ministry had been taxing some Principals and Vice Principals of Secondary schools during the process of registering students for WAEC and NECO examinations as untrue.

He declared that none of the staff of the Ministry, TESCOM or ACCOPSS is involved in the collection of any illegal levy in the schools.

He categorically stated that the appointment of principals is a transparent process which is strictly based on merit, adding that no head of any school is required to pay any amount to any official during visits to schools and that there is no proof of such allegation.

The education commissioner also faulted reports that people pay for appointments at the TESCOM and that school heads were often made to cough out different amounts to service officials who come on unscheduled inspections.

He said all the allegations were false, unfounded, and aimed at tarnishing the “good deeds of the incumbent administration in the education sector.”

He further said: “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 shady 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.”

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Oyo charges not more than N22,000 for WAEC, NECO ― Commissioner