Governor Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi of Oyo State has introduced education levy in the state, even as the government stops payment of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration fees for students.

The decision of the government was made by the State Head of Service, Soji Eniade.

According to Eniade, from the 2015/2016 Academic Session, students would pay annual Education Development Levy of N3,000.

“Efforts of Oyo State Government to Address Poor Performance of Students in Public Secondary Schools”, Eniade said in a statement, explaining that the government took the decision in order to guard against poor performances of students in public schools.

“This is as a result of poor financial status of the state government, coupled with the lackadaisical attitude of parents and students to the promotion of quality education.

“Apart from this, the government also introduced payment of N3,000 by all students on annual basis as Education Development Levy.

“The payment will be made in three equal installments of N1, 000 per term; the fund gathered will be utilised to complement government’s effort to improve infrastructure in public secondary schools,” the statement said.

Ajimobi had indicated early August that the state will consider reviewing its education policy.

The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Ismail Alli, at an event marking the 21st year anniversary of Educare Trust, a youth-focused non-governmental organisation based in Ibadan, had described the birth of the Trust, whose major preoccupation is the running of youth-friendly centre, as nothing short of a brilliant venture a number of elites bought into in 1994.