Ondo moves to curb unauthorised levies in schools, introduces cashless policy

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Government has directed public schools to stop collecting payments in cash as part of measures to strengthen financial controls and curb unauthorised levies.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the electronic payment system would take effect from the next academic session and was unveiled during a meeting with members of the Association of Bursars of Secondary Schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, said principals had been informed about the new arrangement following complaints from parents and other stakeholders over alleged illegal collections in schools.

Ajibefun said ministry inspections had confirmed that some unauthorised payments were being demanded, prompting the government to introduce a platform for recording and monitoring school-related financial transactions.

He said all payments would now be processed through the electronic gateway, adding that cash payments had been banned under the new arrangement.

The commissioner, however, said the policy would not deprive schools of legitimate revenue, as payments made through the platform would be channelled to the appropriate school accounts, adding that the initiative had received the governor’s approval and was now government policy.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, said the system would improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of school finances, while urging bursars to educate other stakeholders on its operation.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Association of Bursars of Secondary Schools, Fisayo Fapounda, welcomed the reform but appealed to the company managing the platform to engage bursars more extensively on its operation to ensure proper understanding and prevent misinformation.