GOVERNOR Agbu Kefas of Taraba State yesterday (Friday 7th July) declared free education in all primary and secondary schools in the state with effect from the next academic session to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol on parents and guardians.
The decision came barely 48 hours after announcing the reduction of university school fees by 50 per cent to cushion the current hardship in the country on parents and guardians of students at that level of education.
According to the governor, starting from the next academic session, primary and secondary education in Taraba State would be free.
A statement by his Spokesperson, Emmanuel Bello, said Kefas made the declaration at the Ebenezer Primary School in Wukari during an assessment tour.
The governor stressed that it was the government’s responsibility to bear the expenses and that students should not be subjected to any fees.
He said that apart from fulfilling a campaign promise, the hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy has made the move imperative.
On Wednesday during his visit to the Taraba State University in Jalingo, Governor Kefas announced the removal of school fees in the university, saying quality education remained his main priority.
Kefas said he had since declared a state of emergency in the education sector and was also committed to free education at the primary and secondary school levels.
Many of the university students expressed joy at the development, saying the reduction in fees would greatly enhance their lives.
“Some parents said the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy has made payments of school fees difficult. They said the slash has raised their hopes,” Bello had said.
Eighteen-Eleven Media