Parents in Rivers state have reacted to the directive by the state ministry of water resources for school managements to provide potable water for their students as they prepare to resume for graduating students.
Some of them said while it is important for schools to have potable water especially with the Covid-19 pandemic, the government should also consider renovating dilapidated school buildings, particularly the public schools.
Meanwhile, the state Ministry of Education has warned proprietors of private schools operating in the state against demanding third term school fees from parents.
This is following reports that some private schools are gearing up to resume academic activities amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Prof Kaniye Ebeku, the commissioner for education said proprietors of private schools have no authority to demand school fees from parents as schools in the state are still closed.
Ebeku explained that the state government has not released new academic calendar and charged private school proprietors involved in such act to desist from it and directed that letter written to parents to pay third term school fees should be immediately withdrawn.
According to him;
“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.”
He added;
“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.”
