Parents raise alarm over alleged extortion in Akwa Ibom unity school, seek FG’s intervention

Parents of students at the Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom State, have raised concerns over alleged extortion by the school management and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Mr. Etim Ikong, a parent whose child is in the senior class, reported that the school management demanded N20,000 from parents whose children were in SS1, claiming it was for uniforms.

However, Ikong noted that the initial payment was N25,000, which he attempted to reduce to N20,000 following parents' protests. The school allegedly charged an additional N7,500 for mattress covers, which were donated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Parents expressed dissatisfaction, stating that they had already paid the N25,000 through the government's Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) system and questioned the need for further extortion.

They called on the Minister of Education to investigate the matter. The college principal, Mr. Emmanuel Didi, acknowledged the initial demand of N25,000 but claimed he reduced it to N20,000 due to parental objections.