The Kwara State Government has announced the abolition of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levies in all public primary schools across the state, introducing annual school grants as a replacement.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, made this known at the opening of bids for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects. He explained that the government will now provide running costs for all 1,717 public primary schools in the state.
According to him, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the immediate stoppage of PTA payments from Primary 1 to Primary 6, ensuring that basic education remains free and accessible to all children in Kwara.
Prof. Adaramaja also revealed that the governor approved the procurement of English and Mathematics textbooks for free distribution to pupils in public primary schools, further easing the financial burden on parents.
Speaking on the intervention projects, he said they would include the construction of classroom blocks with offices and toilets, remodeling and renovation of classrooms, drilling of solar-powered boreholes, rehabilitation of digital literacy centres, and the procurement of foundation literacy materials. Other components include fabrication and distribution of two-seater pupils’ furniture and the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative in selected local government areas.
He added that the governor had also approved the payment of the 2025 counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB projects, reinforcing the state’s commitment to quality basic education.
Adaramaja urged contractors to adhere strictly to project specifications, warning that the government would not tolerate substandard work.
He commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, and other stakeholders for their continuous support.
Responding on behalf of the bidders, Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, expressed appreciation to the government for the opportunity and pledged to deliver quality and timely projects that meet public expectations.
