Oyo state Commissioner of Education, Prof Daud Shangodoyin has explained that payment of West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees is not covered in the state’s free education policy.
This is coming after a circular containing the details and fees of WAEC surfaced online from the Ministry of Education.
In a statement issued on Monday, Prof Sangodoyin said WAEC is an external examination which is not covered in the State’s policy and that parents should pay for their wards.
He said the state free education policy is modelled after Chief Bola Ige’s policy in the 1980s which did not include payment for WAEC examination fees.
“The free education policy in Oyo State focuses on the provision of education free of all fees and levies, free learning and teaching materials, better environment for learning and improving the skills of Education Service providers.
“WAEC is an external examination. Internal examinations are free.
“It’s the responsibility of parents to pay for any external examination fees, while the government prepares the students for the exams, including provision of the materials needed.”
He added that the government will reward deserving and outstanding students in future.