JUST IN: Governor launches free education for Residents
JUST IN: Governor launches free education for Residents
Benue State has moved to overhaul its basic education landscape, with Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia declaring free schooling for all pupils from Basic One to Basic Nine in public schools across the state.
The announcement was made at the maiden Benue Basic Education Summit held at the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, where the governor framed the initiative as both a social intervention and a long-term investment in the state’s future.
Alia said the policy was designed to lift financial barriers preventing children particularly those from poor and vulnerable backgrounds from accessing education.
He stressed that his administration, which has recruited over 9,700 teachers, ensured consistent salary payments, and implemented the harmonised retirement age for teachers, is committed to building a system where no school-age child is excluded.
According to him, making Basic One to Nine free is aimed at providing a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders, adding that the future of the state rests on how well its young population is prepared.
In a statement issued by his Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev, the governor called on parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to support the enforcement of compulsory and free basic education.
Beyond scrapping school fees, the governor also launched a new intervention programme titled Building Rights to Access and Compulsory Education for Un-enrolled Pupils (BRACE-UP) — an initiative designed to identify, enroll and retain out-of-school children.
Alia explained that BRACE-UP would mobilise community leaders, parents and teachers to track children outside the school system, create flexible learning pathways and monitor each learner’s progress from enrolment to completion.
He pledged sustained funding and policy backing in line with the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act to guarantee compulsory and free basic education for every Benue child.
The event also witnessed national recognition for the governor’s education reforms.
The leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), led by Audu Titus Amba, presented him with a golden award for education and teacher friendliness.
The union said the honour affirmed the administration’s efforts to revitalise basic education in the state.
Responding to the recognition, Alia assured retired teachers of improved welfare, promising to offset one month of outstanding arrears.
“You have taught me and I won’t cheat you,” he said.
