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Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday declared that payment of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination feesfor pupils in the state is the responsibility of parents.
The governor stated this in a statement issued and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Daud Shangodoyin.
Makinde, shortly after he was sworn-in ion May 29, abolished payment of fees in all public primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to make education free and reduce the burden of education funding on parents.
However, the governor has come out to clarify that payment of WAEC fees is not part of his free education policy.
He noted that it was the responsibility of the parents to pay the WAEC fees of their children.
Makinde explained that external examination is not covered in the state’s free education policy.
“The free education policy in Oyo State focuses on the provision of education free of all fees and levies, free learning and teaching materials, better environment for learning and improving the skills of education service providers
“WAEC is an external examination, internal examinations are free.
“It’s the responsibility of parents to pay for any external examination fees, while the government prepares the students for the exams, including provision of the materials needed.
“The free education policy under Chief Bola Ige in the 1980s did not include payment for WAEC examination fees.
“Our government will reward deserving and outstanding students in future,” he said.