The Oyo State Government yesterday announced stoppage of payment of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for public school pupils in the state.
The decision is among the measures taken to address the poor performance of students in the public examinations being conducted by the West African Examination Council (WARC) and National Examination Council (NECO).
Head of Service Mr Soji Eniade, in a statement yesterday, pointed out that the measure would enhance quality education in the public school system.
Consequently, each pupil will now pay N3,000 as Education Development Levy per session.
The statement entitled: “Efforts of Oyo state government to Address Poor Performance of Students in Public Secondary Schools”, said: “Government has stopped further payment of WAEC registration fees with effect from 2015/2016 academic session. This is as a result of poor financial status of the state government coupled with the lackadaisical attitude of parents and students to promotion of quality education”.
On the education levy, the HOS said, “A sum of N3,000 only will be paid per student on annual basis as Education Development Levy. Payment would be in three equal installments of N1,00” per term. Fund gathered would be utilized to complement government’s effort in the improvement of infrastructure in public secondary schools”.
Aside the financial aspect of the repositioning, the government said there would be enforcement of 80 per cent attendance of pupils in schools; cancellation of automatic promotions; re-invigoration of extra-mural classes, as well as establishment of zonal education monitoring committees to bring a halt to truancy among students, “
The release noted that government has perfected arrangements to partner with stakeholders in the management of public schools.
