In adherence to the free education policy championed by Governor Yahaya Bello, the Kogi State Government has allocated a sum of one hundred and fifteen million naira (N115,000,000) to cover the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration fees for 15,033 students in public schools across the state. The State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Hon. Wemmy Jones, made this announcement during a press briefing in Lokoja on Tuesday, emphasizing that this initiative underscores Governor Yahaya Bello’s dedication to providing unfettered access to education for all Kogi children.
The Commissioner highlighted that this move follows a prior payment of approximately N497 million to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to ensure that no student in Kogi public schools bears any financial burden before undertaking internal or external examinations.
“I am pleased to announce to parents of Kogi students in public schools that they do not need to bother themselves about paying for their children’s JAMB Registration Fees, as the Governor has already released funds for that purpose.
“This happening a few weeks after the State Government paid hundreds of millions of Naira to WAEC for the registration of thousands of students in public schools is a further demonstration of the determination of the Governor to ensure no Kogi student is deprived of the chance to be educated on account of poverty.
“Having surpassed the benchmark of UNESCO on education budgetary allocation, Kogi has continued to be a beautiful commentary on education for all,” he stated.
Furthermore, kogistate.gov.ng reported that this policy extends to all students in public secondary schools across the state. Governor Yahaya Bello’s leadership has significantly strengthened the education sector in Kogi, marked by improved educational infrastructure, the employment of qualified teachers, the enhancement of technical education, and the overarching commitment to providing free education for all.
Expressing gratitude, a parent, Mr. Adejoh Philip, commended the Governor for his efforts, noting that Governor Yahaya Bello will be remembered for establishing a robust foundation for the educational renaissance in the state.
“After seeing how beautiful the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo is; I withdrew my child from a private school and took him to the school. Many parents are doing the same. He has invested so much in the education of our children,” he remarked.