Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has approved the sum of ₦145,476,984 for the payment of Common Entrance and First School Leaving Certificate fees for 25,100 pupils in public primary schools across Kogi State.
Additionally, the governor has sanctioned ₦215,220,000 for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) covering 30,000 students, and another ₦181,719,800 for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for 18,334 students in public schools.
State Government’s Commitment to Free Education
This announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Hon. Jones further disclosed that the recently approved ₦661 million for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees has been released to the Ministry of Education.
He emphasized that the Ministry has begun the process of profiling beneficiaries to ensure that only eligible students benefit from the scheme.
No Payment Required from Students
The Commissioner reaffirmed that students and pupils should not be charged any fees for these examinations, stating that all administrative charges and passport photographs have been covered by the government.
“We warn against ‘strange names’ creeping into the register. This will endanger the scheme and rob those who are supposed to benefit,” he warned, cautioning school principals against fraudulent entries.
Objective of the Policy
The Commissioner highlighted the key objectives behind the state government’s initiative:
- Increase school enrollment.
- Reduce the number of out-of-school children.
- Ensure students complete their schooling.
Legislative Backing and Continuation of Legacy
The initiative aligns with the Kogi State Free Examination and Registration Bill, signed into law by former Governor Yahaya Bello, making it the responsibility of the state government to pay for all internal and external examination fees for students in public primary and secondary schools.
Governor Ododo has reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the educational policies of his predecessor to sustain and enhance the state’s education system.
Future Plans for NECO and NABTEB
The Commissioner hinted that the government would soon announce its decision on NECO and NABTEB examinations, further reinforcing its commitment to free and accessible education in Kogi State.