The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Okon Nyong Owuna has attributed the improvement in Student’s performance in the West African Examination Council( WAEC) to the payment of examination fees by the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
Owuna, who commended Governor Otu for the gesture, maintained that it took financial burden off parents and helped students concentrate on their studies.
According to Hon Owuna, “His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is very passionate about qualitative education. This is evident in the numerous achievements recorded in the education sector as presented by the Commissioner for Education. The payment of WAEC fees has contributed significantly to the improved performance of our students in external exams including WAEC and NECO. Parents of public school students did not have to worry about the fees. This is highly commendable”.
READ ALSO: Cross River Youth Petitions Governor Otu, State Assembly Over High Cost Of Rents In Calabar
Owuna who was speaking during his Committee’s Mid-Year Budget Performance Review held at the Assembly’s Complex, stated that, the exercise was aimed at accessing the performance of MDAs in the first half of the 2025 fiscal year. He expressed confidence that the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Senator Stephen Odey will take the ministry to great heights.
Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on Education, Hon Martins Achado commended Governor Otu as well as the Commissioner for the improvement in the sector which according to him has resulted in several awards of excellence. He, however advised the Ministry to launch a serious campaign against the proliferation of illegal private schools across the State in order to maintain standards.
Members of the Committee including; Hon Mercy Akpama, Ovat Agbor, Samuel Neji Abang, Thomas Aruku, Bassey Bassey and Eyo Bassey Edet also advised the Management of the Ministry to maintain transparency in all its operations while commending their dedication to standards.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, presented the Ministry’s achievements in the period under review to include; regular inspection of both public and private schools to ensure standards, closure of sub-standard private schools, digitalization of the Ministry’s operations, payment of WAEC and NECO registration fees for students amongst others.
The Commissioner maintained that the State’s performance in external examinations including WAEC and NECO has greatly improved adding that Cross River is now among the top states in these external examinations.
About the Author
