Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has approved immediate payment of about N600 million 2024/2025 WAEC fees of 18,734 Students in Public Secondary Schools in the state.
The State Commissioner For Education,Wemi Jones disclosed this while briefing newsmen in his office on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The commissioner said the payment is in line with the Free examination fee for pupils in public schools law enacted by the State Government.
He explained that with the law in place, every internal and external examination for pupils in public primary schools became the responsibility of government to pay.
The Commissioner Commended Governor Ododo for continuing with the legacy and foundation laid by his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Jones said : “For the 2024/2025 WAEC, we approached the Governor in accordance with the existing law for his approval for the payment of student of WAEC for 18734 Students.
”With this development, the WAEC fees in public secondary schools in Kogi State have been paid for by the State Government.
”In 2024, the State Government paid for 15,033 students.
“With this increase, we can imagine that more parents are now moving their wards to public schools leading to an increase of 3,700 students.
”This policy by Government is to make life easier for citizens, parents and guardians.
“This policy is also intended to address the syndrome of out of school children and to also ensure 100% completion of education at that level.”
The Commissioner thanked secondary school principals in the state for making the government intention easier last year but warned that any of them that tried to play foul will be dealt with accordingly .
According to him, the government will soon, pay the JAMB and NABTEB fees for students in public schools.
Jones assured that examination fees of public primary school pupils writing first school leaving certificate and Basic Examination School Certificate would also be paid.(vitalnewsngr.com)
