Iliya Garba
11 July 2008
Minna — GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has declared education free and compulsory in public schools in the state, in the government's bid to improve the lot of its people.
Speaking during the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) annual dinner and award weekend at Shiroro Hotel, Aliyu said the government in a bid to improve the lot of the people of Niger state had sent the bill making education free and compulsory to the state Assembly for ratification.
He said under the bill, education would be free and compulsory for girls up to tertiary level and for boys to secondary school levels in all its public schools.
He said the bill also spells out specific punishment for parents or guardians who withdraw their wards from school, or refuse to send their wards to school, as way of safeguarding the future of its youth.
Aliyu also announced that a bill on the integration of Quranic schools into formal schools would also be sent to the Assembly for passage, to enable the government give formal education to those attending the religious schools.
He said a census of pupils attending such schools would be conducted to ascertain their number and their teachers, to enable government plan adequately for their operations, adding that "their teachers will receive stipends for up keep."
He gave the assurance that the free education policy of his government would be sustained throughout his tenure.
Even the payment of NECO/WASC fees will be borne by my administration throughout our tenure in office.
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