Education commissioner Wemi Jones of the Kogi Government has declared that any Secondary School principals or public primary school head teachers who undermine the free Education policy will face the consequences. Jones gave the cautionary speech during the 2024 Children’s Day event at Muhammad Buhari Square in Lokoja. He clarified that public schools remain free of charge and warned that any school leader who tries to introduce fees secretly will face serious consequences. The commissioner strongly cautioned that any officials making mistakes would face consequences and recommended that parents and students report any wrongdoing directly to the authorities.
He emphasised the government’s focus on education, ensuring it receives the necessary resources for optimal development. Jones stated that education has been a top priority for the previous and current administrations since taking office. He revealed that the government had recently passed a law in education that eliminated fees for internal and external student exams. He further mentioned that the exams listed are NECO, NABTEB, WAEC, BECE, JAMB, and others and urged parents and students to take note of this.
Parents and students were urged to report principals not following rules.
Students are not permitted to make any form of payment for fees. All internal and public examinations are now at no cost. Parents and students are urged to inform authorities about principals who do not follow these rules; consequences will be enforced without hesitation. He mentioned that the government had approved a budget allocation of 30 percent for the sector, surpassing the UNESCO-recommended 26 percent, to ensure high-quality education for all. He believed the administration had significantly improved education compared to previous governments up to 2016, instilling trust in the public school system through strategic investments.
Also, he mentioned that the waived fees are specifically aimed at public schools to support effective organisation. In the future, the possibility of including private schools will be explored. He further encouraged students to prioritise their studies and view the Investment in their learning as a valuable opportunity. He also mentioned that participating in extracurricular activities could benefit them. He took the opportunity to mourn the two students who tragically lost their lives during the recent student abduction that happened at Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
They are dedicated to providing high-quality learning in Kogi.
A group of 25 students were taken captive by bandits who stormed the school at About 9:00 pm on the evening of May 9th. During her speech, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, the governor’s wife, emphasised the importance of student match passes by stating that children are any nation’s future leaders and hold the key to its prosperity. Hajia Fatimah Momoh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development who represented Mrs. Ododo, highlighted the importance of recognising and nurturing children’s talents from a young age.
The theme “Enhancing the Total Well-being of the Nigerian Child through Education and Skills Development” focuses on improving the overall well-being of Nigerian children by emphasising learning and skills development, highlighting their important contribution to the nation’s future. She observed that Kogi had dedicated significant resources to the sector, ensuring that citizens receive high-quality, focused learning. She stated that the government is dedicated to providing support for every child. He urged parents and other individuals to help students reach their maximum potential.
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Encouraging students to shine brightly now and in the future, she advised against any actions that could affect their academic advancement. Also, Comfort Egwaba, the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly, encouraged students to uphold their role as symbols of national pride. She promised them that Governor Ahmed Ododo was committed to securing funding to improve the state’s learning system. Reports show that the Children’s Day celebration featured a parade, carnival attractions, dance, calisthenics performance and music, among other activities.