A secondary school principal, Mr. Ishmael Omolade, has been told to refund N11,124,800.00, being alleged proceeds of unauthorised levies collected from pupils of Otor-Ogor Technical College, Otor-Ogor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He has been removed from office and reposted to headquarters of the Vocational and Technical Board, Asaba.
Omolade and fourteen others were sanctioned for allegedly collecting illegal levies from pupils in public primary and secondary schools.
A statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Patrick Ukah, said the sanctions are in line with the findings of a board of inquiry set up by the ministry.
The board’s reports have been approved by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
According to the statement, Omolade has been removed as the Principal of Ogor Technical College, Otor-Ogor, and to refund N11,124,800.00, being money illegally collected from pupils in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic sessions.
In addition, normal disciplinary procedures are to be initiated for his early exit from the service.
Also, principals of the five other Technical Colleges in the state will be issued letters of warning for engaging in illegal collection of levies from pupils, and to forestall a recurrence. They are to also refund the money illegally collected.
The Chief Inspector of Education in Sapele council, Mrs. Patience Ishegbe, will be recalled to the headquarters and queried, just as the Chief Inspector of Education, Oshimili North field office, Mrs. Marian Oju, and that of Isoko North field office, Mr. Fidelis Ogbotobo, have been recalled to headquarters of the Ministry of Education.
Mrs. Veronica Igbigwe has been demoted from Head Teacher by one grade level and posted out of Okotie Eboh Primary School 1, Sapele. She will also refund the unauthorised levy collected.
The Chairman and Secretary of the Association of Primary School Heads (AOPSHON), Sapele chapter, Mr. Obukohwo Victor Iguele and Mr. Akpore Umuhurhu, were demoted by one rank/salary grade level and posted out of their present schools. They are also barred from heading any school for the next two academic sessions.
