The ministry of education of Oyo State this week disclosed that no child would be exempted from the free education policy initiated by the Governor Makinde-led government.
According to the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Daud Kehinde Shangodoyin, the transfer of students from public to public schools remain free, just as he noted that successful students transferred from private or other parts of the country to the state’s public schools will subsequently enjoy the free education policy of the state government.
Contrary to the rumour doing the rounds that the state government had ‘imposed’ a particular fee on prospective students of the state, the ministry has debunked the claim, saying it was a malicious act from some elements that intend to stain the constant goodwill of the governor in transforming the state.
Following the development of the initiative, the ministry noted that the government so far has expressed his satisfaction over the large turnout of pupils willing to partake in the free education policy of the state, adding that the huge number of parents and guardians applying to register their children and wards in the state’s public primary and secondary schools was a clear evidence that the free education policy of the administration was well received by the people.
Shangodoyin noted that the government has not in any way imposed any fee to prospective students. Instead, it only detailed the necessary procedures for any interested person.
“Governor Seyi Makinde-led government is a compassionate and transparent government. Conducive education is one of his priorities. This is why he made sure to fulfil his promise on free education in the state for both primary and secondary schools. So, we must not give room for any distraction for our good governance. I urge people to disregard any hearsay as platforms to make enquiries and clarifications are available on our website. Also, through Oyo State Ministry of Education helplines: 09063696494, 08074679279, 08021728287,” he added.
However, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, had earlier revealed the procedure of the initiative for prospective students, saying, “the costs of forms for prospective students seeking transfer from private to public school would be determined by the part of the country such candidate was coming from. Forms for transfer from outside Nigeria is N20,000.00, form for transfer from major cities across the country including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt is N15, 000, other states of the federation is N10,000 while transfer within the state is N7,500.00.
“We are particularly pleased that a number of parents have been besieging the Oyo State Ministry of Education in the past few weeks to make inquiries on steps to be taken to transfer their wards from private schools to public schools.
“The huge turnout of parents and guardians seeking a transfer for their wards to our public schools in view of the free education policy of Governor Makinde’s administration, has, therefore, necessitated the introduction of some administrative measures which are meant to control admission and safeguard illegality in the admission process,” he stated.