BY ETORO-OBONG INYANG
There are indications that free education which was introduced by the administration of immediate past state governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio might be discontinued by the present administration as plans are underway to reintroduce school fees in public primary and secondary schools in the face of groaning cash crunch in the state.
The free education policy which abolished payment of fees in public primary and secondary schools in the state was generally viewed as a major policy of the past administration which did not only afford indigent and the less privileged children the opportunity to have access to basic education, but was highly criticised by opponents of the state government as a means of siphoning resources, made provision for head teachers and school principals to receive money from the state government to run the schools. In the policy PTA fees and sundry charges were also abolished, excerpt boarding fees where applicable.
The Edge News gathered that form the inception of the present administration, no categorical statement has been made concerning the free education programme. Neither the commissioner for education, nor his information counterpart was available to comment on the matter. The new decision which is expected to take effect from the new academic session which commences in September, The Edge News gathered has started generating mixed feelings among parents and other stakeholders
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