{
  "id": 19856163,
  "title": "Osun govt bans illegal school levies, fixes approved fee at N500",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/osun-govt-bans-illegal-school-levies-fixes-approved-fee-at-n500",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T19:09:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/13/osun-govt-bans-illegal-school-levies-fixes-approved-fee-at-n500/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Osun State Government has taken decisive action against unauthorized school levies and illegal fees in public institutions across the region. An official circular, dated November 12, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. M. Jimoh, was issued by the Ministry of Education. The directive specifically targets the collection of unapproved payments by principals and school authorities, emphasizing that the sole permissible fee is N500 per term, as authorized by the state government.\n\nConcerns have been raised regarding excessive charges imposed on students and parents, with some schools demanding between N12,000 and N24,000 per student annually. The ministry's circular explicitly warns against any additional financial contributions outside the approved N500 Education Trust Levy, irrespective of the purpose or perceived importance of the levy. It demands that schools seeking supplementary funds must formally request authorization from the ministry, providing clear justification and purpose for the additional fees.\n\nMoreover, the circular underscores that no decision regarding unapproved payments can be based on school-based agreements with parents or endorsements from any stakeholder. It stresses that the Ministry of Education holds sole authority over the approval of any financial contributions beyond the stipulated N500. All principals are mandated to adhere strictly to this directive and promptly inform relevant stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and school management committees, about the new regulations.\n\nThe ministry has threatened disciplinary action against any principal or school authority found to be in violation of the government-approved financial guidelines. This move comes in response to allegations that certain public secondary schools in Osun State have been charging exorbitant fees, sometimes exceeding N24,000 per student, while allegedly requiring parents to provide various items like laundry baskets, dustpans, brooms, markers, canes, disinfectants, and tissue paper. The Osogbo Grammar School, in particular, has been accused of collecting N24,000 per student without providing receipts for the payments.",
  "summary": "The Osun State Government has banned the collection of unauthorised levies and illegal fees in public schools across the state. The government has also warned principals and school authorities against imposing payments beyond the approved N500 Education Trust Levy per term. The directive was issued through the Ministry of Education in a circular dated November […] Osun govt bans illegal school…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}