Why I Didn’t Consult Stakeholders On Free Education – Gov. Kefas

Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, has disclosed that his decision not to consult experts on his free education policy was deliberate, as he "didn't want anybody to discourage" him.

 

He assured that the free education policy will succeed in spite of the widespread criticism on how he was going about the policy.

 

Speaking during the Town Hall meeting with stakeholders held at the newly built ultra-modern banquet hall, to mark his second year anniversary in Jalingo, Kefas also justified the reason he was embarking on the construction of 60 new schools while several existing schools needed attention.

 

 

He said: 'I didn't consult people on my free education policy because I didn't want anybody to discourage me. I believe the free education is going to succeed. Some of the data we are having on schools are not accurate.

 

 "We are going to build new structures to ensure security. All the existing structures are not to my taste. The 60 schools are pilot projects. We would replicate them in other schools".

 

Responding to the issue of procurement of free uniforms, shoes and books for students, Kefas said he was aware of the need to contract local entrepreneurs to manufacture them but that they lack the capacity to do the job.

 

 

He stated: "I am aware that we have shoemakers, tailors. We will train our people and empower them for the future. For now, we are seeing how we would get it right".

 

He further stated that his government was focusing on the 2023-2050 Taraba Development Plan.

 

While speaking on his achievements in civil service reforms, infrastructure and across all sectors, the governor revealed that he has transmitted four bills to the Taraba State House of Assembly for consideration. They include: Bills on free and compulsory education, 50% subsidy on tuition, free medical bill for children and the elderly and land access for farming.