The Akwa Ibom government says it has invested about N14.6 billion in matching grants to grow basic education in the state.

Essien Umoh, the commissioner for education, disclosed this in Uyo on Monday, at a media briefing on the education sector achievements of the Governor Umo Eno-led administration

Mr Umoh said that the state government released over N6.58 billion for examination and examination-related activities between 2023 and 2026.

The commissioner said that the disbursement was part of efforts to expand access and improve the quality of education in the state.

He said that the briefing was designed to present the administration’s interventions in quantitative terms across basic, post-basic and tertiary education.

Mr Umoh described the investment as the government’s deliberate effort to advance education under the ARISE Agenda.

He said that the state government had consistently met its counterpart funding obligations for the Universal Basic Education interventions.

According to him, the intervention has translated into the construction and rehabilitation of schools, provision of teachers’ quarters, fencing, water facilities, solar lighting and other infrastructures.

The commissioner explained that the 2026 intervention adopted a comprehensive approach in which schools selected for rehabilitation would receive an extensive overhaul rather than isolated repairs.

He further said that the administration had constructed 31 model primary schools, with five additional schools provided through special interventions, while 18 had so far been inaugurated.

The commissioner said that the model schools were designed not merely as physical structures but as comprehensive learning environments, with furnished teachers’ quarters, water and electricity facilities and learning materials.

Mr Umoh said that pupils in the model schools would benefit from government-provided uniforms, shoes, socks, school bags, exercise books and other learning materials.

He said that the state’s intervention in examination fees had removed financial barriers for pupils and students, resulting in increased participation in examinations.

(NAN)