By Ken Afor
The Federal Government College (FCG), Ijanikin, Lagos State has indefinitely suspended three students in the school following action taken by their parents to submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the alleged mishandling of funds by the Parents Teacher Association (PTA) of the institution.
The fourth student reportedly managed to avoid punishment as he had already left the school before disciplinary measures were implemented.
It was gathered that some of the parents who participated in a televised program on Television Continental (TVC) Lagos, to air their views regarding the matter were labeled as rebels and subjected to punishment along with their children after they demanded an explanation from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) regarding the expenditure of approximately N23 million.
Mrs. Falilat Oluwashogbon, whose child was among the three suspended, highlighted that the predicament originated during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in 2022.
“When the PTA chairman presented the financial report, some of us raised question about how some funds were spent. For instance, the salary of PTA teachers was said to have increased to N23 million from less than N15m the previous year. That is when no new teacher was employed and no salary increment was done for the teachers.
“In fact, there were a lot of discrepancies in the records. They also said they spent over N1m as sitting allowance for PTA exco. They also said they spent N1 million on sports, when each student pays N1, 000 per term for sporting activities. The situation led to some parents raising eyebrow about the spendings and they refused to accept and adopt that report.
“Surprisingly, those of us that raised concerns about how the funds were being spent, were removed from the Telegram group that parents, the principal and even some teachers belong.
“The portals of our children, who are the students there, were blocked. When we waited for some months and nothing was done to redress the situation, we petitioned the EFCC, ” she explained.
Pius Sodje, a lawyer and another parent, expressed his concern as his child narrowly avoided being barred from taking the WAEC and NECO exams last year.
“At the AGM, the leadership of the PTA just threw a figure at us as what they spent and which they wanted us to adopt. We said no. Apart from some of the things that Mrs Olushogbon mentioned, they said they spent millions of naira on preparatory class by students. This is not necessary, we pay N500 per child per term for prep classes. I asked for explanation, but none was given,” he alleged.
However, Comrade Shola Tokede, the Chairman of the PTA, who also appeared on the program, challenged the assertions made by the remaining parents.
“The problem started from the time we had election in 2021 for a new exco of the PTA. Some of those levelling these spurious allegations lost out then. Mrs Olushogbon wanted to contest the chairmanship of the body, but was disqualified because she didn’t meet the set criteria. In a setting like that, it is not everybody that will be in support or be against.
“They raised some issues, but the majority of members accepted the report we presented and the motion to adopt it was moved and supported accordingly.
“As for the allegation that the PTA mismanaged over N80 million, only the accusers know where they got that figure from. We didn’t mismanage anything. All the expenses and the incomes were duly accounted for,” he said.
When asked about his efforts to protect the rights of students who have been suspended without any wrongdoing, Tokede explained that his actions are in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“I am not the one running the school and I am also not the owner, there is a memo from the Federal Ministry of Education that any parent who goes to court over any issue relating to their children’s schools would have their children suspended until the matter is withdrawn or settled in the court.”
Meanwhile, Douglas Damoor, a different parent, made it clear that it was another parent who brought a separate issue to court. He further explained that the allegation was reported to the EFCC due to the school management’s involvement in addressing it.
“We did not go to court, another parent did concerning another matter. We only went to the EFCC and that was because nothing was done and no explanation given regarding the alleged financial infractions. Also, we were not aware of the said memo. It was just recently that was brought to our notice. My own take is that innocent students should not be made to suffer, ” he said.
