Kogi State Commissioner for Education Wemi Jones, says the State is ready to partner with any Organization to improve the quality of Education in the State.
The Commissioner stated this when the New State coordinator of NECO Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu paid him a courtesy visit on Monday in his office in Lokoja.
The Commissioner who reiterated the State Government commitment to returning the glory of Education to it’s glorious days said the State Government came up with the policy of adequate planning and proper funding to address the decay in education, emphasizing that the increase in budgetary allocation of Education to 30% as above UNESCO benchmark of 26% will go along way in revamping the Education Sector.
He stated that primary and secondary education are the foundation of education, noting that if nothing is done to revive the levels it will rub off of the tremendous achievements the State has made in Education.
According to him, ” Kogi State wants to take Education to its glorious days when a child in primary school doesn’t need to the University before he/she can speak impeccable English.”
The State Free Education according to him will address out of school children problem, noting that though education can not be totally free, the state government has decided to pay the tuition fees of all public school students including the payment of Internal and External Examinations Fees.
He stated that the only Examination that is yet to be covered by Free Examination Payment law is NECO, promising to include NECO in the next payment of Examinations.
Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator of NECO, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu commended the State Government for prioritizing education, saying that the achievements recorded in Education is a signal that the government is committed to the wellbeing of the state.
He noted that the comprehensive reform going in Education and Bursary Awards to Kogi State indigenes in higher Institutions across the country is highly commendable, saying the state is in the right part to economic growth and development.
He also appreciated the State for registering with NECO Examination and National Common Entrance Examination, noting that there has been significant improvement of students enrollment for NECO Examination in Kogi State every year.
NECO he said is one of the biggest Examination bodies in Africa as it is now in Equitorial Guinea, Cote’devoire, Niger Republic, Togo, Benin Republic and Garbon
