By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor Dr Kefas Agbu has released the sum of N1.3 billion to cover the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees of 39,000 students in public secondary schools across the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Re – Orientation Zainab Usman Jalingo, issue to Journalists in Jalingo.
She said that the development forms part of the ongoing implementation of the free Education Policy of the present administration of which is aimed at removing financial barriers to education and ensuring that every child in Taraba state has access to quality learning.
“The approval covers a total of N1,390,209,350.00 for the settlement of the 2026 WAEC fees for 39,536 students, including payments for CASS offload, administrative charges, practicals, monitoring, sensitization, remuneration, school albums, registration PINs and other related examination expenses.
“Following the release of funds for WAEC, the Taraba State Government is also set to settle the examination fees of 38,000 students who will be sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) as the next phase of the intervention, further expanding access to external examinations for students across the state.
According to her, in addition to the WAEC intervention, the governor has also approved the release of N243,832,615.00 to support food contractors and transporters involved in the state’s Students Exchange Programme.
“The approval covers feeding arrangements and transportation logistics for students participating in the programme across schools in the state.
“Out of this amount, N148,565,040.00 is allocated for the feeding of students at Government Comprehensive Secondary School Jalingo and Government Day Secondary School Wukari, while N52,750,490.00 and N42,517,085.00 are earmarked for the transportation of indigenous and non-indigenous students participating in the exchange programme across the 19 northern states – she said.
The Commissioner pointed out that the interventions reflect the administration’s sustained commitment to strengthening the education sector by ensuring that students participate seamlessly in both internal and external academic programmes.
“Through the Free Education Policy, the government continues to expand access to education, improve learning infrastructure, and provide critical support that enables students across the state to pursue their academic aspirations.
“Taraba State Government remains committed to ensuring that children in the state have no reason to be out of school, as the administration continues to prioritize education as a foundation for sustainable development – she added.