By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi State Government on Tuesday, expressed its readiness to take stringent action against any head of public primary and secondary schools sabotaging its free education policies across the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Education Hon. Wemi Jones, gave the warning when the National Parent – Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Kogi chapter, visited his office in Lokoja.
Jones strongly warned principals and head teachers who were taking advantage of the free education system to mess up government’s good intention to desist.
“Our provision of free education to pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools must not be taken for granted or sabotaged by teacher.
“The state government will take stiff action against anyone found sabotaging the policy.
“The government is mindful of the activities of some principals and teachers sabotaging the state’s free education policy and anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.
Jones urged the association to synergies with teachers towards ensuring that government policies in education were implemented for the benefit of the students.
He added: “The state government is mindful of the facts that the only lasting palliative that is everlasting is education.
“So, investing in education is the legacy that the Government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will bequeath to the people of the state”.
Jones emphasised that the “Free Examination Registration Fees for Kogi State Students and Pupils in Public Primary and Secondary Schools Law’, had made basic, primary and secondary education totally free in the state.
He added that it had become mandatory for the state government to pay for all internal and external examinations in public primary and secondary schools.
“The exams include: Common Entrance and Basic Six, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), SSCE (WAEC), NECO, NAPTEB, MOCk and JAMB Examinations for all pupils and students in public schools in Kogi.
“The state government has not pictured private school into the policy yet, because of lack of accurate data of private schools,” he said.
He, however assured that the state government would extend the gesture to private schools as soon as there is enough information and accurate data on them.
The commissioner urged the association to feed the government with credible information that would enable it to plan well for educational development in the state.
Earlier, the Kogi Chairman of NAPTAN, Mr John Omeiza Abenege, commended the commissioner for his unwavering commitment and hard work to the upliftment of education in the state.
Abenege noted that the state government’s efforts and kindness, have promoted academic excellence including the state’s free education policies.
He, therefore promised the association’s support towards the effective implementation of all state government policies policy in education in the state.
“Our association will diligently carry out any assignment assigned to us by the State Government.
“We sincerely express our heart of gratitude to Governor Ahmed Ododo for giving education the utmost attention it deserves,” he said.
