By Tina George, Minna
The Chairman of the Niger state Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr Isah Adamu is currently in trouble for allegedly charging primary six pupils to pay for the final examinations and testimonials.
The House of Assembly, which revealed the development, also described the charge as illegal, saying that it was the jurisdiction of the Board to charge such levies.
The lawmakers also threaten to prosecute the Chairman over the action.
AsheNews gathered that although the Board had fixed N400 to be paid by each pupil, those in some public schools were made to pay higher.
The member, representing Paikoro Constituency, Suleiman Rabiu, during plenary on Wednesday raised the issue under matter of public importance.
The legislator stated that charging such levy contravened section 19 and 20 of the law that set up the Board, adding that it was not right for it to impose more hardship on parents at this difficult period.
Deliberating on the issue, the lawmakers frown at the extortion and described it as an avenue to siphon money.
The House also declared that everyone involved in the issue should be made to face criminal trial, while directing that all fees collected from the primary six pupils, be refunded immediately to the parents.
The Speaker, Abdullahi Wuse who passed the recommendation, further stated that in compliance with the law, everybody involved in the illegal levies should be brought to book and charged before a competent court of law.
The lawmakers also directed the Commissioner of Education, Hannatu Salihu to appear before the Assembly to explain the action taken by the Board.
The Assembly directed the Committee on Judiciary to take action and brief it on any development.
