The Kwara State Government has scrapped the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy in all public primary schools, introducing in its place an annual school grant to strengthen funding and ease financial pressure on parents.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Shehu Adaramaja, made the announcement in Ilorin during the opening of bids for the 2024 third and fourth quarters of the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.
According to him, the decision forms part of the government’s broader agenda to improve access to quality education and eliminate hidden charges that discourage school enrolment.
“With this policy, the state government will now provide running costs for all 1,717 public primary schools in Kwara State,” Adaramaja said. “This will ensure that no child is denied education due to financial constraints, while schools will have the operational funds needed to run effectively.”
The SUBEB chairman also highlighted ongoing intervention projects across the state, including the construction of classroom blocks with offices and toilets, renovation of dilapidated structures, drilling of solar-powered boreholes, and rehabilitation of digital literacy centres. He added that the initiative would also cover the procurement of foundation literacy materials and the fabrication of two-seater desks for pupils.
Adaramaja further disclosed that the state government has paid the 2025 counterpart funding for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and SUBEB joint intervention projects, a move he described as a testament to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to revitalising basic education in the state.
He warned contractors handling the various projects to comply strictly with contractual standards, stressing that the government would not condone substandard work.
“The era of cutting corners is over. We expect quality delivery that reflects the Governor’s vision for a stronger and more inclusive education system,” he cautioned.
The new funding model marks another milestone in the AbdulRazaq administration’s education reform agenda, which continues to focus on infrastructure renewal, equitable access, and quality learning outcomes across Kwara State.
