Ondo Government Bans Cash Payments in Public Schools

The Ondo State Government has banned cash payments in all public schools across the state as part of efforts to curb extortion, illegal levies and unauthorised collections from pupils and students.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, announced the policy during a meeting with executives of the Association of Bursars of Secondary Schools in Akure.

Ajibefun condemned the illegal collection of fees by some school authorities and said the government had introduced a digital payment gateway that would become the only approved channel for financial transactions in public schools.

He explained that the new system would improve transparency, strengthen accountability and prevent school officials from exploiting parents through unauthorised fees and levies.

According to the commissioner, the digital payment system will take effect from the next academic session. He warned principals, bursars and other school officials against collecting money directly from parents or students.

Ajibefun said the ministry had already engaged principals across the state to sensitise them on how to use the new platform.

He disclosed that the decision followed complaints from parents during the last academic session about alleged illegal collections in some public schools.

The commissioner said he personally visited some of the affected schools to verify the complaints and confirmed that unauthorised collections were taking place, allegedly involving some school authorities.

He added that the findings led the ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and technical experts, to develop a digital payment gateway through which all financial transactions would be traceable and properly documented.

Ajibefun further revealed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had approved the initiative and assured stakeholders that payments made through the platform would be transferred directly to the appropriate school accounts.

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