The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has abolished the payment of Parents Teachers Association fees for pupils in public primary and secondary schools across the state.
He gave the directive on Thursday during an official visit to Sarkin Pawa in Munya Local Government Area as part of his inspection of ongoing projects in the area.
Bago also disclosed that the state government had taken over the responsibility of PTA payments for all children in public schools.
Ordering all school authorities to comply with the new policy, the Governor warned that any defaulter would face strict sanctions.
He said “This government has taken over the responsibility of PTA fees for all children in public schools across Niger State.
"Parents and guardians are no longer required to pay PTA fees for their wards,.
“Headmasters and principals in public schools must desist from collecting PTA fees from pupils. Any school official found violating this directive will be appropriately sanctioned.” he warned
While encouraging parents to enroll their children in school, he harped on the importance of girl-child education.
The lack of school uniforms, he said, should not deter any child from attending school.
“Allow your children to go to school, even if they don’t have uniforms. School uniforms should not be a barrier.
"Any teacher who sends a child home for not wearing a uniform should be reported, and such a teacher will be removed from the school,” the governor stated.
Bago, however expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing road projects in the area.
The Governor also promised to construct a road linking Sarkin Pawa to Kaduna State, build a modern market, and provide potable drinking water for residents.
Urging contractors handling the projects to ensure timely completion, the governor emphasized the importance of the developments to the people of Munya Local Government Area.
Describing the governor's achievements in his first year in office as unprecedented, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barr. Moses Magaji, and his counterpart, Peter Sankara, declared that his projects were people-oriented.