The Rivers State Government has threatened to punish principals and headteachers  found  collecting illegal fees from students and pupils upon resumption of the 2020/2021 academic session.

This was made known by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku,  in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and made available to newsmen.

Ebeku reminded them that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had since banned the collection of charges and fees of any kind from pupils across the state.

The statement read, “As schools reopen for the new academic year 2020/2021 session, principals and heads of schools are hereby reminded that the state Governor, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, has since banned the collection of charges and fees of any kind and for any purpose from students and pupils.

“Any principal, headteacher or others caught violating the ban will be summarily dealt with in accordance with extant laws and rules.”