Ondo Assembly Advocates Regulation of Coaching Centres
By Awodeyi Elizabeth
The Ondo State House of Assembly has recommended the discouragement of the activities of coaching centres in the state due to their adverse effects on the programmes and activities of private schools.
During a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, it was informed the House received a petition from the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ondo State Chapter, regarding the recent hike in remittances to the government, particularly the registration fees for external candidates taking the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
Presenting the committee’s report at the plenary, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon Kolawole Ologede, stated that after due consideration, the House leadership invited the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to a meeting on Tuesday, 18th February 2025.
He noted that, consequently, the Speaker directed the representatives of the petitioners (NAPPS) and the management team of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to appear before the House leadership on the same date.
During the meeting, it was observed that during the 2025 budget defence exercise, the Ministry was given a mandate to improve its revenue generation, leading to an increment in some revenue heads in the Ministry, in the general interest of the state.
According to the report, the issue of multiple taxation raised against the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology was beyond its jurisdiction and should be addressed by the Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue Services for proper adjustment or redress.
The report recommended that the activities of coaching centres be discouraged in the state, as they have negatively impacted the programmes and activities of private schools.
Furthermore, it recommended that both parties must reach a compromise in the interest of equity and fairness.
That any student who fails the Joint Senior Secondary School (SSS 2) Examination may now resit the exam at a cost of Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N2,500.00) per candidate.
Each senatorial district will be allocated a centre for resit examinations for logistical reasons. The fee for external candidates retaking the examination has been revised from Seven Thousand Naira (N7,000.00) to Four Thousand Naira (N4,000.00).
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in the state should engage regularly with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to align with the government’s policies and programmes.
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