Benue govt declares free, compulsory basic education in public schools

Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has approved free education across all public primary and junior secondary schools in the state, covering Basic One through Basic Nine.

The announcement was made during the inaugural Benue Basic Education Summit held at the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi.

Governor Alia noted that his administration has recruited more than 9,700 teachers, ensured prompt payment of salaries, and enforced the harmonised retirement age for teachers.

He said these measures reflect his government’s commitment to guaranteeing that every school-age child has access to education.

According to him, the introduction of free education from Basic One to Nine is aimed at supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable families while laying a strong academic foundation for the next generation of leaders.

He urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other critical stakeholders to collaborate with the government in implementing free and compulsory basic education.

The governor stressed that the future of Benue rests on its children and that leaders must invest deliberately in their development.

As part of the initiative, Governor Alia also unveiled a landmark programme titled “Building Rights to Access and Compulsory Education for Un-enrolled Pupils (BRACE-UP).”

The initiative is designed as a sustainable and data-driven framework to ensure that every child in Benue is enrolled in school, remains in class, and benefits from quality basic education.

He explained that BRACE-UP will engage community leaders, parents, and teachers in identifying out-of-school children, providing flexible learning options, and monitoring each pupil’s academic journey from enrollment to graduation.

The governor further assured that his administration would continue to provide strategic funding and strengthen policy frameworks in line with the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act to sustain free and compulsory basic education throughout the state.

In a related development, the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), led by Comrade Audu Titus Amba, presented Governor Alia with the Golden Award for Education and Teacher Friendliness.

The union stated that the award recognises the administration’s efforts to reposition and strengthen basic education in Benue State.

Responding, the governor pledged to offset one month of outstanding arrears owed to retired teachers and reaffirmed his commitment to improving their welfare.

In his words: “You have taught me and I won’t cheat you.”