By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, May 27, 2024.
The Kogi Government has vowed to sanction any principal and head teacher of public primary and secondary schools who sabotage its free education policy.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr Wemi Jones, gave the warning on Monday at the 2024 Children’s Day celebration held at Muhammad Buhari Square in Lokoja.
Jones emphasised that public schools in the state has remained tuition free and as such, any principal or head teacher who smuggle fees into the system does so at his or her perils.
The commissioner warned that any erring officials will be severely punished, and advised parents and students to report erring officials to the Authority.
He stressed that the government had prioritised education and was giving all the needed attention to the functional growth of the education subsector.
Jones maintained that since the assumption of office of the immediate past and present administrations, education has been in the front burner of its thematic areas of concentration.
He disclosed that the administration had successfully enacted education law which exempted students and pupils from payment of both internal and external examinations.
This, he said included WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, JAMB, BECE and other sundry charges, while advising parents and students to report any infraction from their schools.
“No students is allowed to pay fees in any guise. Both internal examinations and public examinations, such as, Waec, Neco , Nabteb, Jamb and BECE are free.
“I am calling on parents and students to report any erring principals, and we are resolute to punish them accordingly” he said.
He added that in line with the philosophy of state government to guarantee qualitative education, had approved over 30 per cent of budgetary allocation to the sector far above the UNESCO recommended 26 per cent.
According to him, the education trajectory of these administrations had surpassed previous governments before 2016, the investment has restored confidence to the public schools in the State.
He said, for proper planning , the free fees are targeted at public schools for now, however, private schools consideration would be effected in the future.
Jones advised students to justify the huge investment outlay on them by taking their studies seriously, even as extra curricular activities could be an added advantage.
He used the occasion to mourn with the two students who lost their lives due the recent abduction of students of Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara.
The commissioner used the occasion to.mourned the death of two students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, who were among the 25 students abducted in the school by bandits.
In her remarks, the wife of the Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo , while reviewing the match pass from students, said children were the heartbeat of any nation and as such, are destined to be leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs Ododo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatimah Momoh, stressed the need to harness the children’s talent at their early ages.
“The theme of this year’s celebration, ” Enhancing the Total wellbeing of the Nigerian child through Education and Skills Development” is apt in the role children play in shaping the future of the country,” she said.
She noted that Kogi had been meticulous in allocating high resources to the sector , guaranteeing qualitative and people centric education to the citizens.
According to her, the government is committed to quality education for all children and charged parents and all stakeholders to ensure that students attain their full potentials.
She urged students to be stars of today and tomorrow, and to avoid acts detrimental to their education progression.
Om her part, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Comfort Egwaba, admonished students to maintain their position as the pride of the nation.
She assured them that Gov’ Ahmed Usman Ododo would continue to mobilise resources for the transformation of education sector in the State.
The highlights of the Children Day celebration include, Students match past, callisthenics display, carnival shows, music and dance, among others.
End.