Anum Apapam (E/R), Aug. 29, GNA – Mr Stephen Bekoe, an opinion leader for Anum Apapam North Electoral Area in the Eastern Region, on Sunday cautioned schools against the collection of illegal levies from pupils and students.

He said despite the policy of fee-free tuition at basic school level some educational institutions charged levies to raise funds for repairs of infrastructure, culture and sporting activities.

Mr Bekoe was addressing some parents and teachers at Obuoho near Anum Apapam in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District.

He stressed that this could deter some parents, particularly those from the poor farming communities from sending their children to school.

He noted that some school authorities under the cover of the Parent-Teacher Associations, charged levies contrary to laid down directives.

The opinion leader advised parents to provide children with basic school requirements such as pencils, pens, school uniforms, bags and exercise books, adding that parents should not hide behind the Capitation Grant and School Feeding Programme to shirk their responsibilities.