CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – Parents in Cross River State have complained of schools extorting money through numerous levies. Chairman of SUBEB, Professor Esu Effiong Esu, said only government-approved fees are recognized.
Professor Esu urged parents to report unapproved levies, warning that any headteacher or administrator found guilty would face strict sanctions. He stressed that the commissioner and minister of education opposed burdening parents financially.
Speaking with the Journalists in Calabar, Esu highlighted major infrastructure gains. He said schools have been renovated, new classroom blocks built, lavatories installed, and boreholes sunk across all local government areas.
He disclosed that new desks and learning materials had been supplied and would be distributed once schools resume next month. According to him, a transparent distribution template has already been finalized.
Esu admitted that staffing shortages remain a challenge. He said both teaching and non-teaching staff were insufficient in most schools, but a request for the governor’s approval to employ more personnel was ongoing.
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On accountability, the SUBEB chairman said ghost workers had drastically reduced. He attributed the improvement to “doing what is right” in leadership and collaborative efforts to reform the state’s basic education sector.
He also emphasized quality assurance, noting that inspections were ongoing statewide under a competent director. Abuja officials had also joined the exercise to ensure compliance with national education standards, he added.
While satisfied with the inspection process, Esu admitted that some unqualified teachers may have entered the system. He confirmed that measures were being taken to “weed out undesirable elements” from schools.
Reacting to reports on out-of-school children, Esu disputed claims of high numbers but acknowledged gaps. He said a federal team and policy assurance group recently visited to identify affected areas for targeted intervention.
Esu stressed that the board remained committed to ethical leadership, transparency, and fairness. “We are determined to protect parents, improve standards, and ensure quality education across Cross River State,” he said.