The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem has disclaimed the allegations meted out against the Ministry of levying taxes against some Principals and Vice Principals of Secondary Schools in the State for registration of their students for the West Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.

The Commissioner noted that there was no iota of truth in the allegations, and that those making such accusations should desist from such or fail.

The Ministry was accused of levying N600 on each student and have the proceeds shared amongst officials of the Ministry, the Executive Members of ANCOPPS, TESCOM, and Tutors General. It was also stated as part of the allegations that job seekers have been paying to be appointed at the TESCOM and several amounts of money have been mandated on school heads at various instances to fill the pockets of unscheduled inspectors.

The Commissioner however declared that none of such allegations is true and that they are only propagandas against the good works going on in the Ministry and the Seyi Makinde led government at large, that recruitment processes in the Ministry are always transparent and based on merit, and that no school head is expected to pay any amount of money to any official or inspector.

He also noted that the fee on each student for registration for WAEC and NECO examinations in the State is N22,000 which is one of the most considerate in the country.

In his words, “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 ‘SeyiMakinde 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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