One year after the declaration of State of Emergency in the education sector in Taraba state , Governor Kefas Agbu has again reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming the sector.
The Governor stated this at an interactive meeting with all the Head Teachers and Principals of Public Schools in Taraba state held at the Gym hall, Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo the Taraba State Capital.
The Governor while declaring his unwavering commitment towards ensuring that the free education policy makes positive impact on Tarabans, called on the Teachers to key into the agenda by putting in their best with the aim of ensuring that every child in Taraba State has access to quality education.
According to him “the journey towards free education in Taraba State is not just an inspiration but a way of building the future generation”.
Agbu added that though there are challenges but with the cooperation of the Teachers and the help of God, it will become a huge success.
Speaking on the outstanding salaries owe the teachers in the state,
the Governor pleaded with them to remain calm as efforts are being made to settle it before the end of this year 2024 and assured them that assessment and examination will also be conducted for teachers that are due for promotion.
The Governor further stated that in recognition of the role of the teachers in education, all schools in the state are being assessed and would be built and renovated including building staff quarters for teachers, a development which he said will increase standards of learning and bring educational advancement in the state.
He announced that increase in running cost for schools, provision of vehicles for easy supervision and inspection directorates, the provision of adequate facilities and welfare of teachers will be considered as top priority in order to boost their morale and welfare.
Earlier in her speech at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, commended the Governor for the free education policy, saying that enrollment in public schools has increased tremendously since it’s commencement.
She said the free external examinations funded by the state government has also touched lives in communities across the state, a gesture she said has placed Taraba as one of the best state in the North East.
The commissioner appealed to the Governor to implement Teachers promotions so that their grade levels would tally with their salaries.
She charged the teachers and head teachers to continue to remain committed to the service while the government grapples with the effort to better their lots.
In their separate goodwill messages, the acting Chairperson, TSUBEB, Hajiya Rabi Sunday and her TSPPMB counterpart Mrs Elsie Yaruta also commended the Governor’s free education policy, saying the program has continued to witness a large influx of Students in both Primary and Secondary Schools . They called on principals and teachers to support the agenda of the government to ensure its success.
The Meeting was attended by top government functionaries, the Principals ,Headmasters in public primary and secondary schools in the State.