Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the sum of N542.416m for the payment of Common Entrance Examination, JAMB and for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for pupils and students of public schools in the State.
Commissioner For Education, Mr Wemi Jones, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in lokoja.
Recall that the immediate past Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello signed a bill into law for the free payment of all External and Internal Examinations for Pupils and Students in the State public schools.
The Commissioner said the payment for external examinations in the State was aimed at increasing school enrollment and reduce out of school children which has been a challenge in Education sector.
He explained that Payment for Basic Certificate Examination covers 25,100 pupil in public schools amounting to the sum of N145m, while payment for BECE examination is for 30500 students who are to write JSS3 examination across 21 LGAs of the State that amount to N215m.
Mr Wemi added that Payment of JAMB fee covers 18,734 students in SS3 classes which amount to N181,719m.
The Commissioner explained that N661m for payment of WAEC has been released to the Ministry, noting that the process of profiling to ensure only genuine Students benefit is on going across public schools in the State before WAEC closes.
He warned stakeholders and Schools Principals to desist from any sharp practice that anyone found quilty will face the music.
