Kogiflame
The Kogi State Government has taken far reaching decision in the Education Sector, by outlawing signing out ceremonies in tertiary institutions of the State.
Similarly, annual Speech and Prize giving day usual organized by Primary and secondary schools in time past, will now replace the yearly graduation ceremonies organized in primary and secondary school education in the State.
Speaking to critical stakeholders in the Education Sector, Hon. Wemi Jones, the State Commissioner For Education, said the practice of Incessant graduation ceremonies in primary Schools and Secondary Schools, is becoming economically unaffordable, puts undue pressure on parents as well as attracts some social ills associated with such celebration by the children, said it has now been abolished in Schools.
Henceforth, the Commissioner explained that graduation ceremonies will only be allowed only after SSS 3 examination if necessary in the Education Sector of the State.
Furthermore, Textbooks and workbooks, the State Government he said has banned the use of
textbooks converted to workbooks, said Parents are now to get notebooks for their Wards to answer the assignment in the Exercise books so as to make the Textbook reusable by siblings of the same parents.
Hon. Jones said the State is striving to avoid mistakes that will affect policy implementation of the State Education law, cautioned against anyone that will be found wanting in the efforts of the State Government to instill sanity in the education sector.
The meeting with the critical stakeholders in basic and secondary education Sector of the State, Hon. Wemi Jones said, became necessary following public out cry and the negative impact of what is obtained in the Education Sector.
The Commissioner described the running of education in Basic and Secondary Sector as a foundation level, said any attempt to miss it will spell doom for the future leaders.
While pointing out that the Kogi State education law enacted in 2020, tried to implement the laws facing the education sector, lamented the challenges of implementation of the law, however reiterated that it will no longer be business as usual.
The Commissioner urged the stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the Education law, pointing out that the State is ready to begin massive implementation of the law, with no scape goats.
Hon. Jones said if the State government is paying for every examination for pupils and students, said it will not allow children and future leaders not to be well groomed to read, write and be of good behavior.
Hon. Jones said the State Government is striving to return the education sector to the good old days but with emphasis on the use of Information Communication Technology.
The Commissioner warned Private School owners who are in the habit of not presenting students in the writing of Mock examination organized by the State Government, said henceforth, the prerequisite to writing WAEC examination in the State is the writing of Mock Examination.
He warned NAPs that
“Failure by schools not to write Mock Examination, students from such schools will not be cleared to write WAEC examination”.
Hon. Jones said the State Government is striving to reduce out of school children, increase quality education and financial burden on parents, called for the collaboration of NAPS and other major stakeholders in the education sector to work with the State Government in ensuring that the policy of ensuring quality education as envisioned by Gov Usman Ahmed Ododo is realized.
