FG CONFIRMS FREE TECHNICAL COLLEGE TUITION, WARNS AGAINST ILLEGAL FEES

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By Sunmisola Shodayo

The Federal Government has reiterated that tuition and sanctioned fees at all Federal Technical Colleges throughout the nation remain complimentary, admonishing principals and administrators against levying unauthorized charges on students.

It additionally reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring technical education is accessible to every Nigerian child by fully financing all FTCs nationwide.

In a communiqué released on Wednesday and disseminated via the Ministry of Education’s X account on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the government assumes the complete financial burden of tuition to ensure equitable access to technical education.

He emphasized that no administrator is authorized to request supplementary payments from parents or guardians, further noting that circulars have been sent to all schools to reinforce this directive.

According to him, the government covers authorized expenses such as boarding, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectuses, identification cards, stationery, clubs and societies, medical services, vocational training, utilities, security, websites/e-results, Skool Media, additional lessons, and insurance.

“Parents are encouraged to report unlawful demands directly to the Ministry. Reports can be made via hotlines 0803 657 6733 and 0803 637 3796, or through email at tse@education.gov. ng,” the statement indicated.

Alausa, however, clarified that while tuition and other essential costs are entirely covered, students in boarding schools are still expected to provide certain personal items such as toiletries, bedding, and clothing.

The initiative, he elaborated, is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a means of fostering human capital development and enhancing national competitiveness.

“No Nigerian child should be denied access to technical education due to unlawful fees. By investing in education, we are cultivating a more robust, self-sufficient Nigeria,” Alausa stated.

He assured that monitoring mechanisms have been established to promptly address violations, while calling on stakeholders to assist in upholding the free-education policy and ensuring Federal Technical Colleges fulfill their objective of producing skilled graduates for national transformation.

The statement outlined that a list of personal items required from boarding students includes white bed sheets, pillowcases, cutlasses, hoes, rain boots, buckets, bathing soap, and essential toiletries.

The ministry also indicated that students are expected to present one ream of A4 paper for registration.