Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has granted approval for the disbursement of N192 million to cover the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) fees for 2,011 senior secondary school students in the state. This move aims to ensure that these students can undertake their 2024 final year examinations without any financial burden on their parents.

The announcement was made by Ayibaina Duba, the commissioner for information, orientation, and strategy, who highlighted that the beneficiaries are from 13 government model secondary schools in Bayelsa. Duba emphasized that this approval aligns with Governor Diri’s consistent four-year policy focus on education.

The Governor’s sustained investment in education is evident in the annual coverage of WAEC and NECO examination fees, reflecting a deliberate commitment to human capital development. In addition to these fees, the state government also funds the Unified Primary School Leaving Examination and Junior Secondary School Certificate examinations, alleviating financial pressures on parents.

Duba encouraged Bayelsa residents to anticipate Governor Diri’s second tenure with optimism, signaling a continued dedication to enhancing the educational landscape and fostering human capital growth in the state. This initiative not only supports students in their academic pursuits but also reflects the government’s broader strategy to empower the younger generation and strengthen the overall education system.