Kogi govt. reaffirms commitment to free education in public schools

The Kogi Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its free education policy at basic and secondary schools in the state.

The state Commissioner for Education, Mr Wemi Jones, gave the assurance on Friday while monitoring the conduct of the 2024 Basic 6 (six) Examination in some selected schools in Lokoja, the state’s capital.

The basic six examination also known as First School Leaving Certificate Examination (FSLCE) is being held simultaneously in public and private primary schools across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The commissioner first visited the question paper distribution centre at Saint Luke Adankolo, where he monitored the supervision and dispatch of the question papers to various schools.

Jones charged the exam supervisors and invigilators to ensure strict compliance to standard rules and regulations guiding the conduct of examination in their various centres.

The commissioner thereafter proceeded on monitoring exercise to St. Mary’s L.G.E.A Nursery and Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, Ansarul Islam L.G.E.A Nursery and Primary, Lokongoma Primary Schools, among others.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the monitoring exercise, the commissioner, expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the exam in all the schools he visited.

He noted that the reports he was getting from officials of the ministry who also monitored the exam conduct across the state, showed that it was a hitch-free exercise.

He commended the examination officials, schools’ management and other stakeholders for their cooperation towards the success of the 2024 basic six examination across the state.

The commissioner restated the commitment of the State Government to put an end to any form of exam malpractices at all levels of education in the state.

Jones also reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Ahmed Ododo, to sustaining the free education policy at basic and secondary schools in the state.

“The government under the leadership of Gov. Ahmed Ododo, remains committed to sustaining the good education legacies of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“Gov. Ododo is building on the solid foundation that had been laid by the immediate past governor, towards delivering quality education at all levels to the citizens of the state,” Jones said.

The commissioner advised the students to always exhibit good behaviour and shun all forms of exam malpractice and social vices.

Jones stressed the need for students to remain committed to achieving academic excellence so as to make their parents, the state and the country proud.

Some schools’ head teachers, who spoke to our reporter, commended the commissioner for the remarkable improvement in the conduct of all internal examinations over the past four years in the state.

They further appreciated the state government for its free education policy and for ensuring its full implementation in all public primary and secondary schools in the state.