Niger State Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to his free education policy, saying that education is the catalyst for the realization of the state’s developmental mission.
Aliyu who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, at a one-day retreat for principals of public schools yesterday at the UK Bello Art Theatre, Minna, said his government has ranked education as a top priority.
He pointed out that all the policies aimed at improving education, including the free education initiative, was on course hence the need for stakeholders like the principals to join hands together with the government to sanitise the secondary schools that were crucial link between basic and tertiary education.
According to Aliyu, “our policy initiative on free and compulsory basic education, abolition of school fees, provision of learning and teaching materials, and payment of WAEC or NECO examination fees as well as school infrastructural development among others, remain fully on course and shall continue to receive government support”.
The governor said that the principals in this regard were the field commanders who must assist the government to enhance quality through elimination of unauthorised examination centres, examination malpractice and all other vices that lead to poor education delivery.
He said his government would continue to play its part through increased investment in the education sector, adding that the objectives could only be achieved if the government was on the same line with those who manage the schools.
He also assured that the retreat would provide the platform for the principals to look at the challenges and the prospects of education in the state and take advantage of learning better ways of ensuring efficient service delivery.
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