By Oguine Daniel
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has approved the payment of the 2024/2025 WASSCE fees for 18,734 students in public secondary schools in the state.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, disclosed this at a press briefing held in his office in Lokoja on Tuesday.
In his remarks, he stated, “The state government will be paying the sum of N600 million for the WAEC fees. The payment is in line with the Free Examination Fee for Pupils in Public Schools Law enacted by the state government in 2023.”
He disclosed that with the law in place, every internal and external examination for pupils in public primary schools has become the responsibility of the government to pay.
He praised Ododo for continuing the legacy and foundation laid by his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
“For the 2024/2025 WAEC, we approached the governor for his approval for the payment of WAEC fees for 18,734 students.
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“With this development, the WAEC fees in public secondary schools in Kogi State have been paid for by the state government.
“In 2024, the state government paid for 15,033 students. With this increase, we can see that more parents are now moving their wards to public schools, leading to an increase of 3,700 students.
“This policy by the government is to make life easier for citizens, parents, and guardians. This policy is also intended to address the issue of out-of-school children and to ensure 100% completion of education at that level.”
The commissioner thanked the principals of schools who facilitated the government’s intentions last year but warned those who attempted to play foul games about the severity of sanctions that await them.
He said that the state government will pay the JAMB and NABTEB fees for students in public schools, adding that the First School Leaving Certificate and Basic Examination School Certificate fees for pupils will also be covered.