C’River denies increment in school fees

Offiong said that the approved school schedule used in 2010/2011 academic session was still in force.

Accordingly, the commissioner directed all principals, who had implemented the purported "new fee schedule" to refund same immediately to the pupils and report to his office.

He said, "Should there be any need to review the current fee schedule or any part thereof; principals would be communicated through the appropriate channel."

Offiong disclosed that the ministry of education had commenced investigation into the purported increment.

Meanwhile, Offiong has commended the Christ Embassy Church for renovating a five-room school block in Government Primary School,Hawkins, Calabar.

The commissioner, who gave the commendation during the handing over of Christ Embassy Rhapsody of Reality Community Development Project, expressed gratitude to the church for the gesture.

Offiong recalled the positive roles churches played in the educational sector in time past and called on other organisations to emulate Christ Embassy’s gesture by considering education as a social corporate responsibility by adopting public schools.

Earlier, the Zonal Pastor, Christ-Embassy Zone Three, Marcel Obode, explained that the school block was part of the church’s Reach-Out-Nigeria campaign set aside to celebrate the country’s 51st anniversary.

He noted that it cost the church millions of naira to carry out the renovation project and to also donate exercise books and reading materials as well as school furniture to some pupils and teachers.