No more PTA fees: AbdulRazaq announces new funding model for public primary schools

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has abolished the collection of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levies in all public primary schools across the state, introducing a new funding model aimed at supporting school operations and easing the financial burden on parents.

The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin during the opening of bids for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

According to Adaramaja, the governor approved the replacement of PTA levies with annual school grants, which will serve as running costs for public schools across the state. He added that the new model will cover over 1,717 schools.

“The Governor has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA in all public primary schools in the state. From primary 1 to 6, no more payment of PTA in Kwara State,” Adaramaja said.

The SUBEB boss further revealed that the governor also approved the procurement of English and Mathematics textbooks for pupils in primary one to six, which will be distributed free of charge.

Speaking on the 2024 intervention projects, Adaramaja explained that the initiative would focus on critical infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of classrooms, construction of VIP toilets, drilling of solar-powered boreholes, rehabilitation of digital literacy centres, provision of foundation literacy materials, and the fabrication and distribution of two-seater furniture for pupils.

He noted that the projects also include the Safe Schools Initiative in selected local government areas, aimed at improving security and learning conditions in schools.

Adaramaja commended the state government for its continued investment in school infrastructure, teachers’ welfare, and human capital development.

He also announced that Governor AbdulRazaq had approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

He urged contractors who will be awarded the projects to adhere strictly to specifications, warning that substandard work would not be tolerated.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, commended the government for the opportunity and pledged that contractors would deliver quality projects across the state.