Free Education Debate Takes Centre Stage in Ikorodu

….as Ogunlewe, Kaoli Oppose School Enrolment Financial Requirement

A debate over access to free education dominated discussions in Igbogbo, Ikorodu Division, on Monday as former Minister of Works and prominent Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, called on the Lagos State Government to remove every financial barrier that could prevent children from accessing public education.

The appeal was made during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zumratul Islamiyyah Smart Primary School, where both elder statesmen maintained that education should remain completely free for every child, irrespective of the financial circumstances of their parents or guardians.

Speaking at the event, Senator Ogunlewe expressed concern over what he described as an education-related financial requirement imposed during the enrolment of pupils into public schools. He called on members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to review the policy, alleging that some parents are required to pay as much as ₦20,000 before their children can be admitted into government-owned schools.

According to the former minister, such a requirement runs contrary to the principle of free education and places an unnecessary financial burden on ordinary Lagos residents who are already grappling with economic challenges.

He urged lawmakers to repeal what he described as an “education tax,” insisting that no parent should be compelled to make any payment before a child can enjoy the constitutional right to education.

Throwing his weight behind the call, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya described education as the foundation of sustainable development and national progress. He recalled how the old Western Region recorded remarkable educational and socio-economic advancement through the free education policy introduced by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Olusanya warned that even a ₦20,000 financial requirement could discourage many low-income families from enrolling their children in school, thereby increasing the number of out-of-school children.

He stressed that many struggling households could hardly afford such payments, adding that denying children access to education because of financial constraints would have serious consequences for the future of society.

However, officials of the Lagos State Government dismissed suggestions that an education tax exists in the state.

The Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mr. Omotayo Sanni, clarified that there is no provision for an education tax under the Lagos State Tax Law.

He explained that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to its policy of free education, noting that what is required during school registration is evidence of tax compliance by parents or guardians and not the payment of any education levy.

According to him, residents who have fulfilled their annual tax obligations only need to present their tax clearance certificates during the enrolment process and are not required to make any additional payment.

Mr. Sanni further explained that parents or guardians without tax records may be required to regularise their tax status, stressing that this should not be interpreted as an education tax.

He maintained that taxes paid by residents provide the resources that enable the government to fund free education and other essential public services across Lagos State.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, reaffirmed that the state legislature has not enacted any law establishing an education tax.

He stated that the government’s position is simply to encourage eligible residents to fulfil their civic responsibility by paying taxes, which ultimately supports the provision of free education, healthcare, infrastructure and other social services.

The differing positions expressed by political leaders and government officials have since generated fresh conversations among stakeholders on the relationship between tax compliance and unrestricted access to public education.

Many participants at the event called for greater public enlightenment on school enrolment procedures to eliminate misconceptions and ensure that no child is denied access to education because of uncertainty surrounding government policies.