Experts in the education sector have urged Akwa Ibom state government to consider re- introduction of levies in public schools.
They said such payment would raise the standard of learning and address lack of consumables in science laboratories in public schools in the state.
The Chairman of State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) Dr Ekaette Ebong Okon made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen in Uyo on Monday.
He said levies in public school would make students to be serious in their learning and help school management to differentiate between what he described as those “students attending school one and school two”.
According to her, “School one and school two” are those students who have no business in the school environment but swooped into the school premises to cause problems distracting legitimate students.
“School two” students appear in school uniform but are bandits who disrupt academic academic activities adding that levies in the school would help the system to know real and fake students.
Recounting her experiences, a retired school principal Mrs Alice Nya said reintroduction of levies in public schools would assist school management to buy laboratory consumables in school laboratories in public schools.
“Government only provides consumables for science practical during WAEC examinations by paying N1000 per student during Senior Secondary School exams but no materials in laboratories for class activities and experiments Therefore levies would help the school to provide those items in laboratories to prepare students for public examinations.”
One of the parents who pleaded anonymity said the introduction of levies in school no matter how small would help both school management and government .
“Yes I think it will help students to sit up and study having known that the parents are putting in hard earned money to educate them,” she said.
“I think the government should fix the school for a better learning environment like infrastructure . When you say free education it should be holistic . Books , desks , laboratory equipment should be provided for students.”
Another parent who preferred anonymity said levies in public schools will raise the standard of education in the state .
“Both students and teachers are not taking education seriously because it is free . If they pay , students and parents will know that they are staking their money . Government will be able to provide basic amenities in the school system.” he said.
Akwa Ibom: Experts want re-introduction of levies in public schools
