SAYS MINISTRY OF EDUCATION IS NOT TREATING THEM WELL
BY OKEY ALOZIE
Private school proprietors in Imo State have raised concerns about alleged widespread corruption within the state ministry of Education, accusing officials there of exploiting them through unapproved and excessive charges. The proprietors who spoke to our roving reporter on the condition of anonymity, alleged that the ministry’s practices have become regressive, oppressive and detrimental to the future of education in Imo State under the present leadership.
According to the private school owners, staff of the Ministry allegedly demand unapproved payments that do not go into the TSA. Those charges as we gathered from the Speakers do not have receipt. Before rendering any service as we were also told, the proprietors were allegedly forced to pay an official amount of N100,000 to secure a valuator for the inspection and approval. In addition, to the official fees.
Furthermore, schools are allegedly required to pay N30,000 for access to the ministry’s approved text book list, a service that should be provided free and fair.
They also complained that events after clearing statutory fees do not go down well with them at all.
The Proprietors alleged that most of the payments they made were doubled and unapproved by the state government.
They are now crying to State Governor Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma to come to their rescue without further delay.
‘We can’t continue suffering like this’ the aggrieved proprietors submitted. A source from the ministry cleared the air by declaring all the accusations made by the proprietors as false, bogus and calculated attempts to tarnish the image of the ministry through false claims.
