Head Teacher Becomes ‘Scapegoat’ After Viral Video Exposed Fraud, Rot In Delta School

The Head teacher of the dilapidated Okotie Eboh Primary School 1, Mrs Vero Igbigwe has become a “scapegoat” after little heroine, Ms Success Adegor’s viral video exposed the rot and corruption encased primary school system in Delta State.

Mrs. Igbigwe was suspended on Monday pending the outcome of a formal enquiry into the issue of unauthorized levies/and fees reportedly imposed by her in the school after the Education Commissioner in the state, Chinedu Ebie visited the school for a fact-finding.

BIGPEN ONLINE had reported that Ms. Adegor who was a victim of ‘illegal levy’ foist on parents in some of the state’s public schools was asked to go home over inability to pay ‘school fee’ which was later found out to be ‘examination levy’.

The investigative newspaper, quoting a dependable sources had reported that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was embarrassed over the development had directed thorough investigation into the claims that school fee was being collected in the said public school, those responsible for the charges, as well as officials who supervised the collection and remittance.

This medium had reported that the development is already causing tension at the headquarters of SUBEB and Ministry of Basic Education over claims that several public schools under the watch of the government top officials in Asaba have been embroiled in school fees/levy scam as well as teachers posting and transfer scandal.

BIGPEN ONLINE learnt that Governor Okowa have been inundated with series of claims and petitions concerning the shady deals ongoing in most public schools particularly primary schools in the state involving Local Government Education Secretaries in various council areas and officials of Ministry of Basic Education, Post Primary Education Board, PPEB and SUBEB.

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But the Education Commissioner whose job may also be on the line over the huge embarrassment the issue had caused the state, said he, himself has been inundated with messages and calls primarily over the state of the infrastructure of the School as well as the unauthorised levies and fees unilaterally imposed on the pupils by the School which led to the child being sent away from school with her out of frustration saying she rather preferred being flogged for inability to pay ‘school’ fees than being driven home.

Ebie, whom our source said has been penciled down among the commissioners that would be show the exit door when Governor Okowa would constitute his second term cabinet, denies culpability for the illegal levies being imposed in public schools in the state.

According to him, by virtue of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, Education at the Basic Education Level is free, declaring that however in Delta State that provision is also extended to Senior Secondary Level with the resultant effect being that Basic and Secondary Education (primary, junior and secondary) in Delta State is and still remains free.

“It therefore means that the Head Teacher of the School had no right to impose any levy or fees on the pupils of her School”, he said.

According to him, during an interview session with the Head Teacher, there appeared to be numerous inconsistencies in her response on this issue as she was unable to categorically state who authorized her to impose the levies or fees which is in clear breach of the extant rules.

Consequently, Ebie said “I have directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to suspend the Head Teacher pending the outcome of a formal enquiry into the issue of unauthorized levies/ and fees imposed by her in the School”. 

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Speaking on the state of the infrastructure, he said it is important to clarify that Okotie Eboh Primary Schools I and II, Sapele exist in two locations in the same neighborhood and within a minute’s walk of each other.

He stated that having discovered the dilapidated state of the infrastructure in the Schools, steps were immediately taken by the State Government, through the Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education, to carry out a phased renovation and upgrade of the infrastructural facilities beginning with Okotie Eboh Primary School II.

“It is important to place on record and for the avoidance of doubt that the Contract of the first phase was awarded on the 29th of December, 2018 and work has since commenced”, he added.

Ebie who described the Okowa-led administration as a responsible and responsive government, said it is our duty to address issues that affect the citizenry of the State and in doing so, we will ensure that renovation works are carried out satisfactorily and within reasonable time to ensure that we continue to provide a conducive learning environment for our pupils and students.

He further stated that since the inception of the administration, the Delta State Government through the Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education and its parastatals have carried out the Construction/Renovation of 4,738 Classrooms in addition to rehabilitating and repositioning the six Technical Colleges in the State.

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