Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
In a major policy shift aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and improving access to basic education, the Kwara State Government has officially abolished the payment of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levies across all public primary schools in the state. The decision comes with the introduction of annual school grants to replace the levies and serve as running costs for schools.
Announcing the development in Ilorin during the bid opening for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects, the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, said the new directive takes immediate effect across all 1,717 public primary schools in the state.
According to him, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the full stoppage of PTA payments from Primary 1 to 6, emphasizing that public education must remain free and accessible to all children regardless of their parents’ economic status. “The Governor has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA in all public primary schools in Kwara State. From Primary 1 to 6, no more payment of PTA,” Adaramaja stated.
He further revealed that the state government has also approved the procurement and free distribution of English and Mathematics textbooks to pupils across all classes in the state. The initiative, he said, is designed to enhance learning outcomes and reduce the cost of education for parents.
Speaking on the ongoing UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects, Prof. Adaramaja outlined that the projects would cover key areas such as classroom construction and renovation, provision of VIP toilets, solar-powered boreholes, digital literacy centers, learning materials, and school furniture under the Safe Schools Initiative. He added that Governor AbdulRazaq has also approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for future intervention projects.
He commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, for her continuous support and collaboration with the state government in advancing quality basic education.
In response, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, expressed gratitude to the government for its transparent procurement process and pledged that contractors would deliver quality work that meets specifications.
Education observers note that this move marks another step in Kwara’s broader education reform strategy, which has focused on school infrastructure renewal, teacher training, and equity in access to learning opportunities.
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