Bayelsa Gov't Release Fund For WAEC and NECO Sitting Students

THE Bayelsa State Government has released the sum of N312 million for the payment of this year's West African Examination Council and Nigeria Examination Council fees for students sitting for both examinations in the State.

Governor Seriake Dickson presented the financial instrument to the State Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo, during the State Executive Council meeting at Government House in Yenagoa.

The governor said the gesture was in pursuance of his administration's free and compulsory education policy.

He also disclosed that about N10 billion has so far been expended to execute the policy and various scholarship schemes in the state.

He warned principals and teachers to shun extortion of any kind, as government would not hesitate to deal decisively with those who flouted its orders.

“Let me warn all headmasters and principals that if we receive any complaint that (with all these) you are still asking parents or guardians to contribute money in whatever form or guise in connection with NECO and WAEC payment, we will consider that as extortion and will deal with it appropriately.

"Let me also remind the schools board of their responsibility to monitor principals and headmasters because this is a State where we are providing everything for our pupils and students.

"We even spend money for the printing of certificates. Before, parents were paying money for certificates but now we approve money to enable the ministry print certificates,” he said.

According to the governor, about N5 billion was spent on scholarship programmes for students studying within and outside the country while expenditure for procurement of free textbooks gulped N1.3 billion.

Dickson said N610 million had so far been spent on the payment of WAEC and NECO fees, including the procurement of science equipment for both examinations.

He explained that, N500 million have been spent on the provision of free school uniforms, N24 million for exercise books while N22 million was used to procure dual sitting desks.