Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has greenlit the allocation of N192 million to cover the examination fees for 2,011 senior secondary school students set to undertake their final year exams in 2024.
This commendable decision is poised to alleviate the financial strain on parents and empower students to pursue their academic aspirations unhindered.
The beneficiaries, carefully selected from 13 government model secondary schools in the state, are slated to undergo examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).
Governor Diri’s commitment to prioritizing education over the past four years is evident in this latest move, demonstrating a sustained policy aimed at fostering academic excellence and human capital development.
Ayibaina Duba, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, affirmed the governor’s dedication to investing in education. Beyond the coverage of WAEC and NECO fees, the state government consistently shoulders the financial burden of Unified Primary School Leaving Examination and Junior Secondary School Certificate examinations, underscoring its commitment to nurturing the intellectual growth of young minds.
Duba, speaking to journalists in Yenagoa on Wednesday, emphasized that the annual funding of these examinations without cost to parents is a strategic and intentional investment in the future of Bayelsa’s youth.
He called on the people of Bayelsa to anticipate Governor Diri’s second term with heightened optimism, as this educational initiative aligns with a broader vision for a well-educated and skilled populace.
This progressive step taken by the Bayelsa state government not only ensures academic opportunities for the deserving students but also reflects a forward-thinking approach to human development, setting the stage for a brighter and more educated future for the state.