- Splits Education Ministry Into Two
- ANCOPSS Seeks GL 17 Promotion
By Amos Aar
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has announced the discontinuation of free national examination registration for students in the state, a policy he began only last year.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting with principals of secondary schools at Government College, Makurdi, Governor Alia explained that the initiative had been introduced to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
He, however, noted that the relief is no longer available as as some parents, speaking anonymously, expressed concerns over the rising cost of living, which they say has worsened due to the subsidy withdrawal.
Alia also revealed the restructuring of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management into two distinct entities: the Ministry of Basic Education and the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Education.
The governor added that a new Commissioner for Education would be announced soon.
He stated that the meeting was called to address concerning developments in schools across the state, which he attributed to poor management by principals. He warned that his administration would no longer tolerate such practices.
“The government will no longer condone unwholesome practices in our schools,” Alia said, issuing a directive that all cash transactions in schools should be replaced with automated systems.
The governor further ordered all principals to submit a comprehensive report within 96 hours, detailing the total number of teachers and their subjects, non-teaching staff, and the overall condition of their schools.
The reports are to be submitted to the Commissioner of Education for onward transmission to the governor.
The President of the Benue State chapter of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr. Robert Apir, commended the governor for his proactive approach to addressing educational challenges.
He acknowledged the issues raised by the governor, describing the meeting as a “turning point” for school administration in the state.
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Mr. Apir also highlighted the governor’s efforts in improving education, citing the implementation of the new retirement age for teachers, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and increased funding for the education sector.
He appealed to the governor to provide a bus for ANCOPSS to facilitate their movement and to promote education officers to Grade Level 17, aligning them with their counterparts in other sectors.
In recognition of his efforts, the state leadership of ANCOPSS, on behalf of its national secretariat, presented Governor Alia with the award of “Inspirational Leadership and Catalyst for Development.”
In his acceptance speech, Governor Alia expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to do more to improve education in the state.
