Parents across Unity Schools in Akwa Ibom State have strongly opposed the Federal Government’s decision to increase the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levy by N288 million, calling it an unfair burden amid economic hardship.
A circular dated March 18, 2025, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, confirmed the increment. The circular, obtained by our correspondent in Uyo, announced that the PTA levy has been raised to N12,000 per student per term, amounting to N96 million per term and N288 million per academic session for schools with an estimated student population of 8,000.
The ministry justified the increment, stating, “Following multiple requests from PTAs to enable them to fulfill their obligations within the colleges, the ministry has approved a revised PTA levy. This new levy will take effect from the third term of the 2024/2025 academic session.”
However, parents have condemned the decision, questioning the sudden approval after an earlier attempt to raise the levy was resisted. A parent from Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the PTA executive previously attempted to increase the levy last term, but parents opposed it and threatened to petition the Federal Ministry of Education.
In Unity Schools located in Ukana Offot, Uyo, and Ikot Obio Itong, parents reportedly protested when the increment was announced, forcing the ministry to halt the move temporarily. Many now wonder why the same ministry that stopped the hike has issued a directive enforcing the new levy.
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Another concerned parent from Unity School, Ikot Obio Itong, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, has called for a federal investigation into how the Permanent Secretary approved the levy increase while other pressing issues remain unaddressed. He highlighted concerns such as inadequate teachers, poor student feeding, bullying, and alleged fraud by PTA executives.
Parents have also expressed outrage over questionable expenditures. One parent at Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, recounted that during a recent PTA meeting, the executive claimed to have spent N700,000 on purchasing sachet water for attendees. Many argue that instead of increasing levies, the government should focus on addressing more critical challenges in Unity Schools.
“There are no teachers in these schools, and PTAs are forced to employ and pay teachers while the federal government watches as the system collapses. Instead of tackling these pressing issues, they are busy approving levy increments,” the parent lamented.
Critics have accused PTA executives nationwide of colluding to pressure the Federal Ministry of Education into approving the hike after failing to enforce it through other means. They argue that if such effort had been directed at advocating for better infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and eliminating extortion and bullying, students, parents, and the entire education system would have been the true beneficiaries.
