The Abia State government in a recent statement via Dr Kanelechi Nwangwa, Commissioner, Ministry of Education, has reacted to public schools charging students and pupils for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially for face masks.
The state govt in its statement declared the act very unfair and must be stopped immediately with such illegally collected payments refunded without any delay.
Nwangwa disclosed that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has provided enough face masks and hand sanitizers for exit students and their teachers and the items have been distributed through the DESs and Education Secretaries to all schools.
“There is therefore no reason whatsoever for anybody to charge any student or pupil for these items already provided. Anybody found doing this or refusing to refund the monies already wrongly collected, will have himself/herself to blame for any consequences therefrom,” the statement read.
The Commissioner also disclosed that any private school charging returning pupils and students any fees related to COViD-19 will be sanctioned by the government.
Members of the public are also advised to report demands for payment of unapproved fees and levies from private and public schools to the ministry via 08033187582.
