The Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, has said his administration’s policy on free education is a long-term vision for a better and secured Taraba State.
Kefas, who stated this during a parley with journalists in Jalingo, said he would stop at nothing to ensure that the policy succeeds.
He maintained that his commitment to free and compulsory primary and secondary education as well as the reduction of 50 per cent tuition in the state university and the School of Nursing was to ensure access to quality education for all Taraba children.
“The steps we have taken so far in our free education policy is to ensure that no one is hindered access to quality education. We will continue to create avenues for children to go to school even if it means converting part of the Government House to a class classroom, I will do it.
“I have heard a lot of criticism, but the critics should wait and see how the policy is going to succeed. I will remain very stubborn and l will step on the toes of those who choose to stand against the implementation of my educational policies that l put in place to revive the educational system which was on the verge of collapse when l assumed leadership of the state.
“Where were the so-called stakeholders when the children at Government Comprehensive Secondary School, housing over 500 students from across the 19 northern states, were sleeping on the floors in the school here in Jalingo?
“People should be careful. Heads are going to roll, whoever wants to stand in my way in the implementation of the free education policy will bear the brunt.
“If the stakeholders have been doing it and succeeding against others, they can’t succeed with me as a sitting governor, I have drafted a quality education policy for the state, and by January 2024, when our children are returning to schools, many of them who are raising questions today will be shocked and ask if the students are from Taraba.
“Go to Taraba State University and see where the girls are sleeping in the hostels. They are living like refugees in camps. So, where were the stakeholders who are now making complaints? Education in the state must come first and I have no apologies.”
While pledging to complete all ongoing projects initiated by past administrations, Kafas announced that he would construct the Lau-Karim Lamido Road, and Takum-Ussa Road, and complete the Ussa and Bali General hospitals among others.
