Wole Ayodele in Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has revealed that education got the lion’s share of the state’s 2024 budget in order to actualise the free education policy of his administration.
Kefas, who described education as a major priority of his administration, stressed that besides his commitment to securing the state for citizens and investors, education would remain his major focus.
The sum of N43.2 billion, which represented 13.9 per cent of the N311 billion in the state government’s 2024 budget was earmarked for education in 2024, which is clear demonstration of the Kefas’ administration commitment to the success of the free education policy.
The governor, upon assumption of office, made primary and secondary education free and compulsory and slashed tuition fees by 50 per cent in all the state owned tertiary institutions.
Kefas, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, maintained that education is the key to unlock the myraid of problems confronting the state.
According to him, “education is the answer to many of the ills the state has been experiencing. With better learning, inner city crimes would be reduced and the necessary man power will be developed since a well-trained-person is best suited for employment.
“The economic hardship currently being experienced may force parents to pull out their wards from schools and that would have devastating consequences on communities. The main reason for the surge in crimes among the young is idleness and lack of proper education.”
Bemoaning the high rate of out of school children in the state, the governor insisted that only free education strategy could solve the problem and reverse the trend.
He stressed that many youths were unemployable because of lack of sound education and stated that though the free education policy is capital intensive, his administration would think outside the box to find ways of funding it.
He said that prudent management of state resources would free up funds to implement the policy, adding that the will, zeal and commitment of his administration to the policy would attract patronage and sponsorship to guarantee the success of the programme.
Kefas revealed that provisions have been made in the 2024 budget for training of teachers, construction of new classrooms and effective teaching aides while students would resume in January with free uniforms and textbooks.
