Gov Otti Bans Collection Of PTA Fees In Abia Public Schools

Gov Alex Otti

Gov Alex Otti of Abia State has banned all forms of payments in public primary and secondary schools in the state, including Parents-Teachers Association, PTA, levies.

This is even as the law mandating all children of school age to be in school every school day has come into effect from January 1, 2025.

These were contained in a New Year broadcast the governor made to the Abia people on Wednesday.

According to Otti, ”As soon as the new school term begins later in the month, it will be unlawful to find any child outside the walls of the classroom during school hours.

“We have stopped all forms of payments in the primary and secondary schools, not even PTA levies should be charged any parent or guardian in any public school in the State.”

He disclosed that an imprest account system for the running of schools has been introduced for Headteachers and school Principals to manage the day-to-day operations of their schools, warning that no child should be extorted or denied opportunities to education.

“We shall be strict with enforcement and it will be a grievous mistake to test our will”, Otti warned the public school administrators and teachers

He reiterated that retired workers in the state would always be paid their monthly pensions first before any serving office holder is allowed to receive his or her salary.