The Kwara State House of Assembly, yesterday, directed its committee on Education and Human Capital Development to invite all relevant stakeholders to critically appraise the rudiments of free basic education policy of the state government with a view to fashioning more acceptable strategies for its implementation.

The directive was part of the resolution of the House following the adoption of motion on notice on "Need to appraise the free education policy of the Kwara State Government", moved by Hon Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman of Ilorin North West Constituency.

Other co-movers of the motion included Barrister Kamaldeen Fagbemi of Oke-Ogun Constituency; Hon Ahmed Ibn Mohammed of Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe Constituency and Hajia Segilola Abdulkadir who represents Ilorin Central Constituency.

The Kwara State Government had introduced free basic and compulsory education in primary and junior secondary school.

Abdulrahman noted that the school fee of each pupil was N680 per term before free basic education policy was introduced and N250 was collectively endorsed by Parents Teachers Association on each pupil to serve as developmental levy to be administered by respective school principals.

He however expressed concern that some school principals hide under the approved developmental levy to execute certain projects in their school and in the process charged levies over and above the original N250 agreed by the PTA.

He observed that many schools charged above N500 or at the will in the name of executing certain projects under the developmental levy arrangement.

This, according to Abdulrahman had led to questions among the public on genuineness of free education policy of the state government.

The lawmaker expressed worry that despite the government's magnanimous waiver of WAEC and NECO registration fees meant for outstanding students in the mock examination, some of the candidates who actually merited it were not enjoying from the arrangement.Some of the members who contributed to the debate spoke against free education policy where it was not practicable as stated in the constitution.

They blamed the present problem on lack of proper monitoring of schools by the ministry of education.

The lawmaker however called for education summit where stakeholders' responsibilities would be determined and restructured in line with the free education policy to achieve the set goals.

Reading the resolution of the House, the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad mandated the committee on Education and Human Capital Development to invite Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, KWSUBEB, PTA, ANCOPSS and other stakeholders to critically appraise the rudiments of the free basic education policy of the state government with a view to fashioning more acceptable strategies for its implementation.