Benue to commence payment of WAEC fees for indigenes

By David Mzer

The Benue State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Dennis Ityavyar yesterday disclosed that plans were underway to commence the payment of West African Examination Council, WAEC, fees for indigens of the state in government schools.

He made the disclosure while giving account of his stewardship at the accountability press briefing at the NUJ house, Makurdi.Professor Ityavyar said the payment of the fees was included in the 2017 Budget before the Benue State House of Assembly and was awaiting passage by the House before the commencement of the policy.

On the operations of illegal schools, Professor Ityavyar stated that the days for such were over, as any illegal school closed down during his tenure will be made public.

On curbing the menace of examination malpractice, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry has been working with the Benue State House of Assembly committee on Education to further strengthen the laws against the menace adding that the standard for examinations cannot be compromised since examinations are yardstick for measuring standards of education everywhere in the world.

He also urged parents and guardians to guide and encourage their children to study Science and Technology based courses, which are viable and developmental to the society to correct the lopsidedness in the development of education with more people reading arts and social science subjects.

The Commissioner urged stakeholders to join hands with the government in the education of the Benue child, with support for the Benue Peoples Education Project, which he said is a platform for crowd funding to garner resources from alternative sources to support the sector.

Professor Ityavyar stated that the approval for the release for N20 million for payment of bursary has already been made and that the allowance will soon be paid.

The Education Commissioner disclosed that that despite the recession and paucity of funds, the state was able to meet its counterpart obligation of N3.8 billion for the state to access N7.6 billion for the construction and renovation of 740 primary school projectsin the 23 Local governments areas of the state.

He listed other achievements as follows:
(1). Renovation of some secondary schools and recruitment of mathematics teachers to strengthen science education.

(2).Obtained full accreditation for seven courses in BSU.

(3).Commencement of payment of salaries of BSU Technical school staff after five years of non-payment.
(4).Graduated four sets of Medical Doctors from the College of Medical Sciences.

(5)Renovation of two office blocks at TSB, Makurdi.
(6)Designed an electronic module for computation of examination results at BSU.

(7).procurred official and utility vehicles to relevant officers and offices to enhance efficient and effective running of Benue State University.

(8).Successful hosting of All Secondary Schools sports Festival at Otukpa in 2016.
(9).Re-training of 10,000 primary and 6,000 Secondary School Teachers.

(9).Resolution of disputes with unions a few days after taking over and the resumption of the Benue State University(BSU) from prolonged strike.

(10).Constitution of Visitation panels for state – Owned tertiary institutions and commencement of implementation of the BSU panel’s report as well as reconstitution of the Benue State University Council.

(11).Increase in admission capacity of the University from 4,655 to 6,000.

(12).Establishment of Benue peoples Education Project, BEPEP, to raise funds for development of education in the state.
 
For Advert: Call 08171607004, 09058228464 Follow us on Twitter @idomavoice, @idomanews Send us releases at idomavoice@gmail.com