Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba has raised concerns over the deteriorating state of education and infrastructure in the state, pledging to take urgent and direct action to address the long standing challenges in the sector.
Speaking on Wednesday in Jalingo, the governor described the state’s education system and technological infrastructure as “very bad,” noting that ongoing efforts to implement reforms have been slowed down by unreliable data and outdated technology.
“Most of the data we have is not reliable. Unconfirmed reports indicate that we have over 500 public secondary schools and around 300 private schools, but without accurate information, planning becomes difficult”, Kefas said
As part of a new approach, the governor announced plans to meet directly with teachers and principals across the state, urging schools to reactivate their Parent-Teacher Associations, PTAs, to support local development efforts.
“We are going to break the jinx of relying on traditional stakeholders and instead deal directly with those who are directly affected the teachers, principals, and students. Stakeholders often come with their own interests and challenges,” he said
To address dilapidated school infrastructure, the governor pledged to release funds directly to schools for urgent repairs, including fixing classroom roofs and providing desks.
“We’re sending the money straight to them. They know what needs to be done and can act faster,” he said.
The governor also emphasized the need for a comprehensive biometric verification exercise to identify genuine civil servants, particularly in the education sector.
He noted that some workers are on the payroll without proper documentation or clear roles, leading to massive salary expenditures on individuals who may not be actively working.
“They are not ghosts, but they weren’t properly employed. We must ensure that everyone receiving a salary is truly working and qualified for the position,” Kefas explained.
He added that the government is preparing for a wave of retirements and will focus on training the next generation of workers. The biometric system will also help ensure fairness in employment and promotions.
“We want to give everyone an equal opportunity. If you’re a civil servant, you should be worthy of your wages. We want to pay people who are actually working,” the governor concluded.
Our reporter gathered that the education reform plan is expected to roll out in phases, beginning with a verification and infrastructure assessment across public schools in the coming weeks.
Kefas decries poor state of education in Taraba, unveils plan for direct intervention