In a groundbreaking move, Kwara State has officially scrapped the controversial Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy across all public primary schools. The state government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved an annual grant to cover the operational costs of 1,717 public schools.
At the launch of the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects, Professor Shehu Adaramaja, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), made the announcement. He emphasized that the state government would now directly provide the necessary funds for school operations, replacing the PTA levy, which many families found burdensome.
“The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA in all public primary schools in the state, from Primary 1 to 6. No more PTA payments in Kwara State,” Adaramaja confirmed.
The PTA levy, traditionally used to fund additional school activities or projects not covered by the government’s budget, often put pressure on average families, despite being relatively low compared to private school charges.
In addition to the cancellation of the PTA levy, the Kwara government will distribute free English and Maths textbooks to pupils in public primary schools. The Governor has also approved several infrastructural developments, including the construction of new classrooms, the installation of solar-powered boreholes, and the renovation of existing school facilities.
Adaramaja detailed the projects in the bid, which include the construction of two-classroom blocks, toilet facilities, and the establishment of digital literacy centers. He also mentioned the procurement of foundation literacy teaching materials and the distribution of two-seater furniture for pupils.
The SUBEB Chairman also confirmed that the state government had authorized the payment of counterpart funds for the 2025 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects, further reinforcing the state’s commitment to educational development.
Contractors involved in the projects were urged to adhere strictly to the specifications and standards, with Adaramaja warning that subpar work would not be tolerated.
Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, representing the Indigenous Contractors Association, thanked the state government for the opportunity to participate in the bidding process and assured that contractors would deliver quality projects that would meet the expectations of the government and the people.
