The Kwara State Government has officially scrapped the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levy in all public primary schools across the state, approving annual school grants instead to support the running of schools.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, during the opening of bids for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects in Ilorin.
In a report gathered by Nigeriastartupact.ng on Sunday, Prof. Adaramaja said that the government would now provide running costs for the 1,717 public primary schools in Kwara State.
He stated, “The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, 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.”
Prof. Adaramaja also announced that the governor had approved the procurement of English and Mathematics textbooks for free distribution to all primary school pupils in the state.
Speaking further on the ongoing bid opening, the SUBEB chairman said the intervention projects would include the construction of a block of two classrooms with an office, as well as the construction of toilets.
He added, “The intervention also covers the remodeling and renovation of classrooms, drilling of solar-powered borehole with tank stand, and rehabilitation of digital literacy across the state. It also covers the procurement of foundation literacy teaching and learning materials for primary one, fabrication and distribution of two-seater pupils/students’ furniture, and the safe schools initiative in some selected local governments, among others.”
Prof. Adaramaja revealed that Governor AbdulRazaq had also approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects. He urged contractors to deliver projects according to specifications and warned that substandard work would not be tolerated.
He further commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, and other stakeholders for their contribution to the success of the programme.
Responding on behalf of the bidders, Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, expressed gratitude to the government for the opportunity and assured that contractors would deliver quality work to support educational development in the state.