A lawmaker in the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Essa/Shawo/Igbodun Constituency of Offa, Hassan Oyeleke, has described the stoppage of the Mohammed Dele Belgore free holiday classes for secondary school pupils by the government as myopic and parochial.

Belgore, a governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 elections, sponsored the free holiday classes. The state government last week instructed head teachers not to allow their premises to be used for the programme.

The ACN lawmaker, who chairs the Public Account Committee, said: "I don't know government's reason for stopping Belgore's holiday lessons for secondary school pupils. But I think the reason is political. If so, my view is that the step is myopic and parochial. If anybody is making an effort to improve on the dismal performances of secondary school pupils in the Senior School Certificate Examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) that person should be encouraged and supported. The essence is to produce well-grounded pupils who will gain admission to higher institutions.

"If the reason for stopping him is to score political point, I want to say that the government was ill-advised. The advice will have negative effect because the pupils who are enjoying this facility will not be happy with that type of government. All hands should be on deck to improve the performances of these pupils and helping hands should be encouraged.

"The parents and beneficiaries will not be happy as the holiday classes are free.

"I urge the MDB Solidarity Team not to be discouraged. Belgore has shown his concern for educational advancement in Kwara. Right thinking people looking for ways to improve pupils' performances in examinations should support and encourage him.

"I abhor that kind of policy. That is not the kind of policy the government should practise. I appeal to Belgore to look for alternative venues to enable the coaching continue.

"The action is myopic because the pupils are not being trained to become ACN members. In rendering services to the community, politics should be left out. Belgore has been doing this. Pupils, irrespective of party affiliations, benefited from the free holiday classes.

"By my training as a teacher, that type of tutorial will have a positive effect on the overall performances of the pupils. I urge the government to rescind its decision. What its action implies is that if, by tomorrow, as an ACN member, I want to do the same thing in Offa Local Government, it means the same action will be taken against me.

"I want to ask a question: If Belgore gives scholarships to pupils, will they stop him because they are not giving scholarships? Whatever reason they adduced in stopping this lofty venture, it is parochial and counter-productive."

The state government accused the promoters of the free holiday classes of failing to follow laid-down procedures.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed, Dr. Femi Akorede, said the promoters should have sought permission from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, instead of the head teachers.

He said: "Government's laudable educational reforms are based on ensuring high standard of teaching.

"The ministry screens such initiatives to ensure compliance with the set standards. Sadly, the ACN governorship candidate failed to follow the procedure, hence government's cancellation of the programmme."

The ACN had earlier complained that a similar programme by Dr. Bukola Saraki, the former governor and now a Senator, was allowed.