Osun Warns Principals Against Unapproved Levies, Approves N500 Fee in Public Schools
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has warned principals and school authorities against collecting unauthorised fees and levies from students and parents in public schools, insisting that the only approved payment is N500.
The government said any additional levy imposed without the express approval of the Ministry of Education would be considered illegal, regardless of the purpose for which the money was being collected.
The warning was contained in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, M. A. K. Jimoh, dated November 12, 2026, and addressed to Executive Secretaries, the leadership of ANCOPSS and AOPSHON, principals of public schools, headteachers of public primary schools and Parents-Teachers Associations.
The ministry said it had observed with concern the practice of collecting unauthorised fees from students and parents by some principals and school authorities, stressing the need to put an end to the practice.
According to the circular, “the only approved fee payable in public schools is the sum of N500.00 (Five Hundred Naira) as authorised by the Government.”
It warned that any payment imposed on students or parents without the ministry’s express approval remained illegal, irrespective of its perceived importance or intended purpose.
The ministry consequently directed all principals not to introduce or collect any additional levy without obtaining prior authorisation.
It explained that schools seeking additional financial contributions must formally write to the Ministry of Education, stating the reasons for the request, its intended purpose and the proposed amount before such payments could be introduced.
The circular further stated that agreements reached between school authorities and parents, or endorsements by other stakeholders, would not amount to sufficient authority to impose unapproved levies.
It also directed principals to ensure strict compliance with the directive and communicate its contents to relevant stakeholders in their respective schools.
The ministry warned that it would not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary action against any principal or school authority found violating the directive.
It urged all stakeholders in the education sector to cooperate with the government in ensuring transparency, accountability and strict adherence to approved financial regulations in public schools.
