Why we increased the education budget, Kogi government

The Kogi State Government has explained that it has increased the 2024 education budget to 30 per cent to restore the sector to its former glory and elevate the state to the enviable rank of being the most educated in the country.

Education Commissioner Wemi Jones made the announcement during a meeting with high school principals and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) representatives in the state.

He also disclosed that Governor Ahmed Ododo has released funds to pay the fees for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Basic Six Basic Examination and Common Entrance Examinations for students in public schools in the state.

Jones assured that the Ododo administration will continue the legacy of the last administration in the field of education, calling on principals, teachers and parents to work with the government for the smooth implementation of education policies and programs in the state.

According to him, the state government has made significant investments in education and called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the government’s education programs and policies are implemented for the economic growth of the state. He recommended that they review the 2020 State Education Act to avoid being considered deficient.

The meeting, where stakeholders were expected to brainstorm on ways to implement the government’s free education policy, was also attended by representatives of the State Science, Technical Education and Teaching Services Commission (STETSCOM), All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Academic Staff Union Secondary Schools (ASUSS), public high school principals, PTAs, and local government presidents across the state.