The Gombe state government has approved N580.87 million for the payment of external examination registration fees for 20,478 students in the state.

The commissioner for education, Aishatu Maigari, said this while briefing journalists at the end of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Monday in Bauchi.

She said the gesture was part of the state government’s efforts to enhance access to quality education.

Ms Maigari said the payment would cover 18,753 candidates for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and 1,368 others for the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).

She said the beneficiaries also included 219 students for the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies Examination (NBAIS), 110 exchange students, and 58 students with special needs.

The commissioner said the gesture would support families whose children were expected to sit for an external examination in the state.

She said the burden of paying over N27,000 WAEC fees per student by their parents had been lifted by the state government through the gesture.

Ms Maigari said the council also approved a road map to improve sanitation in schools and healthcare facilities.

“The council in the previous meeting approved a committee on improved sanitation for schools and healthcare facilities in the state,” she said, adding that it would facilitate effective implementation of the road map. 

(NAN)