In a major boost for education in Kogi State, Governor Usman Ododo has approved over N542 million for the payment of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fees and other internal examination costs for students in public schools. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on parents and promote education accessibility.
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Breakdown of the N542 Million Allocation
During a press conference held in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, disclosed that the funds will cover registration fees for various examinations, ensuring that thousands of students can participate without financial constraints.
How the Funds Will Be Utilized:
- Basic Six and Common Entrance Examination (CCE) – N145,476,984 for 25,100 pupils
- Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) – N215,220,000 for 30,500 students
- Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME/JAMB) – N181,719,800 for 18,734 students
The total expenditure amounts to N542,416,784, reflecting the government’s commitment to providing free examination registration for students in public primary and secondary schools.
Building on Previous Educational Policies
This policy aligns with the Free Examination Registration Law, initially introduced by former Governor Yahaya Bello. Governor Ododo is continuing and expanding this initiative, reinforcing his administration’s dedication to improving education standards in Kogi State.
Speaking on the initiative, Commissioner Wemi Jones stated, “Governor Ododo, building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, remains committed to consolidating achievements in the education sector.”
In addition to the UTME and internal exams funding, the government has also released N661.3 million for the payment of 2024/2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for SS3 students in public schools.
Total Government Investment in Education
With the recent allocations, the Kogi State Government has committed over N1.2 billion to fund both external and internal examinations for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Positive Impact on Student Enrollment and Education Quality
According to Commissioner Wemi Jones,
“This intervention has significantly boosted school enrolment rates. The payment of examination fees in 2024 led to an 18 percent increase in student enrolment.”
Furthermore, the policy has had a direct impact on students’ performance, as financial constraints no longer hinder their ability to sit for national examinations.
Jones further emphasized,
“This gesture has also reduced the number of out-of-school children, which has been a major challenge in the education sector, while enhancing students’ performance in national examinations.”
Call for Accountability and Compliance
The commissioner commended Governor Ododo for prioritizing education, stating, “Governor Ododo’s commitment to education will help reduce poverty and illiteracy levels in the state.”
He also issued a warning to school principals, urge them and school heads to cooperate with the ministry to ensure a smooth registration process. The government will take strict action against any principal found sabotaging this initiative or attempting to exploit students, he mentioned.
Kogi State’s latest intervention in the education sector demonstrates a strong commitment to providing quality and accessible education for all students. By eliminating financial barriers, the government is fostering an environment where students can focus on their studies and perform well in national examinations.
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With over N1.2 billion allocated to examination fees for the 2024/2025 academic session, this initiative marks a significant milestone in the state’s effort to reduce illiteracy, promote academic excellence, and uplift the education sector.