Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has authorised the immediate release of N497 million for the payment of 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) fees for students attending public schools in the state.
This was made available in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammed Onogwu, and made available to pressmen on Saturday,
News About Nigeria gathered that this initiative is part of the state government’s commitment to enhancing the educational system and ensuring that every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can access quality education.
The move aligns with the government’s pledge to offer free education from primary to secondary school levels, with a focus on implementing the ‘Zero Out-of-School Policy’ in the state.
This resolute step reflects the administration’s dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to access quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
“It aims to empower students to undertake crucial examinations without imposing any financial burden on their parents or guardians.”
The disbursement will benefit 15,033 students across various public schools, paving the way for a brighter educational future for Kogi’s youth.
“The disbursement is also in fulfilment of the administration’s recent pledge to provide free education from primary to secondary school levels within the state’s public schools, underscoring the government’s commitment to implementing the ‘Zero Out-of-School Policy’ in the state.
“Furthermore, the Governor recently emphasised that his administration would penalise parents who fail to enrol their children in school under his leadership.
“This comprehensive approach to education underscores the state’s commitment to not only increasing access to education but also ensuring active participation,” the statement added.
The schools with the highest number of beneficiaries include Dekina, with 1,867 students, followed by Lokoja Local Government Area, where 1,569 students will benefit, and Okene, with 1,345 students set to gain from the program.
