Sequel to the reports against some private schools in the state asking parents to pay for the third term tuition fees despite the directive on school closure in the state, the RIvers State Ministry of Education has warned all private school operators against exploitation of parents especially during this COVID-19 pandemic period.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku who informed that the order on the closure of schools subsists that schools cannot reopen for another term maintained that there was no need to ask parents to pay for third term school fees under e-learning programme and warned Private School operators against operating outside the confines of the state governments orders.
Speaking to the management of Greenoak School and Royal Girls Academy, he said the state government will not tolerate flouting of the directive on the closure of schools and warned against exploitation of parents under the guise of third term e-learning program.
Professor Ebeku who in a meeting he convened with the management of the two schools expressed dismay over a report against the said schools, warned that all Private School within the state should desist from inviting parents to pay fees for the third term since no announcement for the commencement of third term has been made.
The Commissioner said: “Your schools acted without authorities. The letters you sent to parents are being protested by the parents and government has a duty to protect the parents”. Accordingly, He directed the withdrawal of the letters forthwith and warned other private schools not to collect any fees for third term unless and until an agreement has been reached on the issue with all stakeholders.
He indicated that any school that violates this directive will face unpleasant consequences.
