Ondo Pays N360m WASSCE Fees

James Sowole

The Ondo State Government yesterday said N360 million was spent on the payment of 2021 West African School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fee for students in public secondary schools in the state.

It also stated that about N4 million had been approved for the 2021 NABTEB fees for 209 final year students in the five technical colleges of Ondo State.

The state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stated this in Akure, the state capital, during the celebration of students who excelled at international and national competitions and state examinations during the 2020/2021 academic session.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu, the governor highlighted some of the policies executed by the state to revive its education.

He said: “You will recall that our administration has renewed its commitment to pay the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) fee for students in public secondary schools in the state, in spite of the dwindling state resources.

“It is a common knowledge that most states that had hitherto paid the WASSCE fees for their students had stopped such payment for a long time.

“It is no exaggeration that our government cannot afford to watch the educational career of our students, especially the indigent ones, truncated for lack of fund. To the glory of God, about two months ago, we paid the sum of N360 million for 2021 WASSCE fee for students in public secondary schools in the state.”

Akeredolu said the government has procured and distributed science equipment and textbooks for effective learning/teaching in secondary schools and has recently employed 1,200 teachers for the public primary schools in the state.

According to him, “Tertiary institutions are not left out in our developmental process. We have upgraded, constructed and renovated existing structures at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, and the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa.

“It is a common knowledge that teachers’ motivation is an essential factor for classroom effectiveness and school improvement.

“In view of this consciousness, and as a government with determination to achieve results through unique innovations, attention is always paid to the well-being and training of teachers to encourage and spur them to ultimately improve the academic performances of our pupils and students.

“No doubt, celebrating those who deserve it is an encouragement for those coming behind to emulate. I am glad that these award winners made use of the rare and golden opportunities provided by the state government.

“I want to make it clear that our administration will continue to celebrate and reward outstanding performance of our teachers and students.

“It is in this regard that the state government has decided to reward these 48 students, who will be given ICT equipment worth N3,790,090 in different categories. I am delighted to announce that some school principals/teachers have also done the state proud.”