Sokoto Orders Halt on School Fees, Warns Defiant Principals

Sokoto State Government has directed all public secondary schools in the state to immediately suspend the collection of school fees. The move, announced by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ladan Ala, follows the establishment of a committee to investigate complaints over alleged irregular and excessive fees in schools.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammad Iya, Prof. Ala warned that any principal found flouting the directive would face “immediate administrative action.”

The suspension covers all fees, including the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levy, admission and testimonial fees, statement of results, and charges by the Muslim Students Society (MSS). It also extends to examination-related fees such as the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) statement of result and certificate, screening forms, and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees for NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS.

The commissioner emphasised that the moratorium would remain in effect until the committee completes its review and submits recommendations to the ministry.