COVID-19: “Don’t Demand For Third Term School Fees”- Rivers State Government

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has warned private school owners in the state not to demand for third term school fees from parents and guardians as schools in the state are still closed and no academic calendar has been released.

According to the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku who made this statement to newsmen, issued a warning in a voice message, saying private school proprietors had no authority to begin to ask parents to pay school fees. The Commissioner who sounded this warning on Tuesday has charged proprietors involved in such act to desist and withdraw any letter they have sent to parents in regards to school fees payment.

“Schools (in Rivers State) have not reopened and therefore, third term has not commenced to the extent of any private schools inviting parents to pay fees. We are still making consultations with the leadership of private school proprietors and with all stakeholders in the public-school sector as to what to do further regarding the continued learning of our students in view of the fact that COVID-19 situation is still on in the country. So, schools that have asked parents to pay fees for the third term, purportedly suggesting that third term has started, have not told the truth because the State Ministry of Education has not announced any reversed academic calendar.” The Commissioner said.