By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
As part of efforts to keep accurate records and statistics of students in public schools for payment of examination fees , government of Sokoto state has decided to commence the issuance of identity cards to its students to separate them from external candidates.
The identification cards are to check excesses of some suspected school principals and staff.
” This will assist us in knowing the exact number of our students, especially those that will sit for SSCE”
It was a resolution reached at the
state Executive Council meeting on Friday chaired by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tukur Arkali disclosed at a briefing in Sokoto.
Alkali explained that, the decision was informed by the huge amount being spent by the state government on Senior Secondary School Examinations for students.
Alkali said ” some principals and examination officers use to enlist external candidates, thus adding more burden on the state government”
He said last year alone, the state government spent N1bn on NECO and WAEC for its students while insisting that it was humongous.
“And this year we are anticipating 33,000 candidates and with the current increment in registration fees by WAEC and NECO we will spend not less than N1.9 billion,” he pointed out.
According to Arkali, some principals and examination officers use to enlist external candidates, thus adding more burden on the state government.
Meanwhile, the state has approved the purchase of 1000 motorcycles and 500 tricycles for youth empowerment.
The council also approved the construction of water ways at Tudun Wada cemetery and renovation of Hajj Camp which it named after Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the former Governor of the state.
It also approved the amendment of four laws, including Zakkat and Endowment Commission law, Arabic and Islamic Board Law, Prohibition of discrimination People With Disability Law and Tenancy control Law.