Primary, junior secondary education now free in Kwara

Kwara State Government has declared that primary and junior secondary education in all public schools across the state is now free of charge.

The government announced the immediate stoppage of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levies in public primary schools, replacing them with annual school grants to serve as running costs.

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

“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,” he said, announcing the disbursement of grants to at least 1,717 public schools.

Prof. Adaramaja also announced the approval of the procurement of English and Mathematics textbooks by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, which will be distributed free of charge to pupils in primary 1 to 6.

The SUBEB Chairman explained that the intervention projects will include the construction of classrooms, VIP toilets, remodeling of existing facilities, drilling of solar-powered boreholes, rehabilitation of digital literacy centres, provision of literacy materials, distribution of furniture, and implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative in selected local governments.

He added that the Governor has approved the payment of the 2025 counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB projects and urged contractors to strictly adhere to project specifications.

Responding on behalf of the bidders, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, thanked the government for the opportunity and assured that members would deliver quality projects.