The Kwara State Government has eliminated the Parents Teachers Association levy across all public primary schools, substituting it with annual grants to cover operational expenses.
Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, announced the bid opening ceremony for intervention projects scheduled under the 2024 third and fourth quarters UBEC/SUBEB program. He stated that the government will now shoulder running costs for the state’s 1,717 public primary schools.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq authorized the cancellation of PTA payments for students from Primary 1 through Primary 6. Prof. Adaramaja confirmed that families will no longer be required to pay these levies anywhere in Kwara State.
The SUBEB Chairman also revealed that the governor approved the purchase and free distribution of English and Mathematics textbooks to pupils attending public primary schools.
Regarding the intervention projects, Prof. Adaramaja outlined plans that include constructing classroom blocks equipped with offices and toilets, as well as remodeling existing classrooms. Additional initiatives involve installing solar-powered boreholes with tank stands, rehabilitating digital literacy centers, supplying foundation literacy materials, manufacturing and distributing two-seater furniture for pupils, and implementing the Safe Schools Initiative in select local government areas.
Prof. Adaramaja announced that Governor AbdulRazaq has approved the payment of counterpart funds for 2025 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects. He cautioned contractors to follow project specifications strictly, emphasizing that the state government would not accept substandard work.
The SUBEB Chairman acknowledged Hajiya Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary of UBEC, along with other stakeholders for their roles in advancing the program.
Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, responded on behalf of bidders, thanking the government for the opportunity. He pledged that association members would deliver high-quality projects on schedule to satisfy public expectations.
