By Mustapha Jimoh – Lokoja.
The intention of Kogi state government to alleviate the suffering of parents across the state through the payment of WAEC fees for all students in Kogi State might have suffered setback with the draconian conditions set by the Ministry of Education to be met by students before being qualified for approval.
Some parents spoken to by our correspondents expressed worry over the conditions set by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
According to the MOE, for students to benefit from government philanthropy, they must have written their BECE 2021 in public schools in Kogi State.
Any student that sat for BECE in states apart from Kogi cannot benefit and those that sat for the examination in private schools in Kogi State cannot also benefit.
Also, any student that fails either English Language or Mathematics in BECE 2021 are denied access to the fund while those that sat for the examination before 2021 are also denied access to the fund.
This has substantially denied a lot of students the benefit of enjoying the magnanimous gesture of Kogi State Government under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Our team of correspondents that conducted survey across the three senatorial districts of the state reported that parents of affected students expressed worries that their hopes of enjoying financial relief have been dashed.
According to them, over one hundred students in a particular school in the Eastern senatorial district were denied access to money while students in several schools in Kogi Central and Kogi West senatorial districts suffer the same fate.
According to the parents, their confusion is currently on the rise as they do not know what to do concerning the registration of their children and wards.
They appeal to the Commissioner of Education, Hon Wemi Jones to pity them and allow their children benefit from government’s philanthropy, adding that Governor Yahaya Bello who is education friendly might not have set the conditions before releasing the money.
However, a parent that preferred to be anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the issue said he has been so worried about the fate of his two boys who sat for BECE in a school in Benue state but he had to leave Benue state with his family for Kogi East, his senatorial district, owing to the unrest in Benue state.
Another parent in Kogi Central said while parents in the entire state have been applauding the good works of Governor Bello, this draconian law coming at the twilight of his administration may dent his achievements especially in the area of education, a department he has relentlessly laboured to make remarkable impact.
The parents appealed to well-meaning Kogi people relevant authorities including traditional rulers and ANCOPSS, Kogi State chapter to prevail on the Commissioner of Education to reverse the decision which according to them, may hinder the opportunity for their children to further their education.
