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Adamawa School Principals Defy Free Education Order, Charge N22,000 Fees

September 12, 2019

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Aishatu Abubakar Umar, corroborated the PPSMB secretary, saying, "We have summoned the principals involved in the issuance of admission forms to tell us why."

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The free education policy declared by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has been ignored by some school principals as new students are made to pay N22,795 as school fees.

Saharareporters sampled a dozen of metropolitan admission forms issued to new intakes, indicating varied sums of money payable both in cash at the school and into bank accounts.

At the Premier Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Yola, prospective students are expected to pay N19,200 at the school's bursary department, while N3,595 is to be paid into a bank account, totaling N22,795.

This came on the heels of free education policy by the Adamawa government.

Fintiri, while marking his 100 days in office, reiterated that his administration had declared free education to include tuition, books, feeding, among other provisions.

The principal of the junior section of GGSS Yola, Margaret James, said, "We gave out a few admission letters, but we instructed them not to rush and pay.

"That is because we are still awaiting final directives on whether to charge fees or not. Since it is common knowledge that the governor has declared free education," she added.

The Executive Secretary of the Post-Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB), Maryam Umar, said, "No principal was permitted to issue out admission letters in the first place.

"Two weeks ago, the principals met with the governor to deliberate on the modalities of a smooth take-off of the free education; and a committee was set up to work that out. As we speak, the committee is yet to report back."

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Aishatu Abubakar Umar, corroborated the PPSMB secretary, saying, "We have summoned the principals involved in the issuance of admission forms to tell us why."

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Education