Zamfara State government has effected the payment of N355, 148,750 as registration charges to West African Examination Council (WAEC) for 24,025 students that are qualified for the year 2020 examination from the state.
This is apart from the sum of N100, 000,000 earlier paid to the examination body by the government which is aimed at reducing the N1. 1 billion naira debt incurred against WAEC by the immediate past administration of the state.
State Commissioner of Education, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Spirow disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Thunder Blowers Online News Medium in Gusau on Wednesday.
The commissioner explained that, the decision to pay the WAEC charges was informed by the passion the state governor has in transforming the education sector and change the narrative of face-off between students and government every year.
Mr. Ibrahim said the Head of the examination body sent a strong worded commendation letter to the state government for taking the right decision of paying the examination charges adding that, the status of Zamfara State has now changed to the comity of good states.
He noted that, to show commitment that, the government is passionate about transforming education, effective from July this year, the state government will be paying between N50 million and N100 million every month to WAEC with a view to settling the long term debt.
Similarly, the state government has settled the sum of N300 million naira to NECO to enable indigent students register for the examination.
The Commissioner noted that, similar arrangement will be made under which NECO will be be receiving substantial parts of the N1. 6 billion naira debt also inherited from the immediate past administration.
Mr. Ibrahim who commended the Governor for the rescue, warned Principals and Examination Officers to desist from registering external students at the detriment of the internal students.
He also warned that, any Principal or Examination Officer who unlawfully excluded internal students will be made to face the appropriate punishment.
