Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has disclosed that the lion’s share of the state’s 2024 budget has been allocated to realising the administration’s ambitious free education initiative.
Speaking on Wednesday, through Emmanuel Bello, his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Gov Kefas elucidated that robust education serves as a remedy for the myriad of challenges confronting the state.
He articulated that enhanced learning opportunities would contribute to a reduction in inner-city crimes and the cultivation of a skilled workforce as crucial for the state’s prosperity.
The governor, expressing concern over the potential withdrawal of students from schools due to economic hardship, attributed the surge in youth-related crimes to idleness and inadequate education.
He lamented the prevalence of out-of-school children and asserted that only through free and compulsory education could this societal issue be effectively addressed.
He further Kefas emphasised the correlation between proper education and employability, asserting that a well-trained workforce is essential for economic growth.
Recalling his recent declaration of free and compulsory education, his administration, he said, has actively engaged with stakeholders, including parents and school management, to implement the policy.
The policy encompasses free primary and secondary education, accompanied by a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees for tertiary institutions in the state.
Addressing concerns about funding such a capital-intensive policy, Kefas assured the public that innovative financing solutions, coupled with prudent resource management, would sustain the free education initiative.
He added that the 2024 budget specifically allocates resources for teacher training, new classrooms, and advanced teaching aids.
