Benue state government releases N150m to public schools

The Benue State Government on Monday flagged off a monthly school grant scheme for public primary and junior secondary schools and distributed motorcycles to quality assurance officers across the 23 local government areas to strengthen monitoring and administration in schools.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Board’s headquarters, the Executive Chairman, Grace Adagba, said the state government had released ₦150 million for the initiative aimed at improving operational sustainability in schools.

This is contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by Msughter John Ataigbough, Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman on corporate communications and community engagements.

The Board Chairman explained that under the scheme, each Headmaster and Principal would receive ₦50,000 monthly to cater for stationery, continuous assessments, first aid materials, utilities and minor maintenance in schools.

Adagba described the initiative as part of the administration’s education reforms and said it underscored the government’s commitment to free and compulsory education in the state.

She warned that any Headmaster or Principal found imposing illegal levies on pupils or parents would be sanctioned henceforth.

Flagging off the programme on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, described education as the greatest investment of government, noting that the initiative would improve school administration and learning conditions across the state.

He said the provision of motorcycles to Quality Assurance Officers would enhance monitoring of schools, especially in rural communities, adding that the programme aligns with the World Bank-supported HOPE Education Grant.

According to him, the initiative places Benue among the leading states pursuing educational reforms in Nigeria.

In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Margaret Adamu, and the UBEC State Coordinator, Idzi Baba, commended the administration for prioritising educational development and strengthening collaboration between the ministry and SUBEB.

Highlights of the event included the symbolic presentation of school grant cheques to schools representing the three senatorial zones and the distribution of motorcycles to Coordinating Education Secretaries on behalf of Quality Assurance Officers statewide.