NEWS DIGEST- The Taraba State Commissioner of Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, has announced the state government’s intention to intercept any children of school age found on the streets during school hours to trace their parents for possible arrest and prosecution.
Speaking in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, the commissioner stated that Governor Agbu Kefas had made education free, basic, and compulsory for all children of school age, irrespective of tribe, religion, political background, or status.
The commissioner called on parents to take all their children to school and stated that the education policy did not give a specific number of children a parent should enroll. The commissioner revealed plans to reshuffle monitoring directorates to effectively supervise and evaluate the policy’s implementation.
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“We are going to intercept any child of school age found roaming the streets in the state during school hours. We will trace their parents and arrest them for possible prosecution; we have made a law to that effect. There is a specific fine such parents will pay for disobeying state laws.
“The governor had explained that instructional materials have already been paid for and the onward distribution of the materials is going to commence from next week immediately after schools resume. The governor further explained that provision for uniforms will commence January 2024.
“The old students, both from primary and secondary schools should continue with their old uniforms while the newly admitted students should use the clothes they came in with pending when uniforms are provided come next year,” she stated.
The commissioner further revealed that the ministry has reshuffled its monitoring directorates for proper supervision of teachers-students’ responses to the policy and identify the unforeseen challenges.
She said all the monitoring and supervision units in the ministry have been revitalised with finance and mobilities for effective supervision and evaluation to make the policy effective both for learning of the students and the welfare of the teachers.
