LASG spent over N4.2bn on WAEC fees in four years

…Approves N1.57bn for 2024 WAEC fees for 58,188 students

…Re-absorbs 13,000 out-of-school children into basic, secondary education

The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently fulfilled its promise to pay the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for all public school SS3 students in Lagos State.

This was announced by Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun on Thursday at a ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.

According to him, the Lagos State Government has consistently paid the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for all public school SS3 students over the past four years, 2020-2023, totaling over N4.2 billion.

Building on this commitment, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved N1,571,076,000 to cover registration fees and other costs for 58,188 SS3 students taking the WASSCE in the 2024 school year.

He highlighted the achievements of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the first year of his second term, showcasing the government’s continued investment in education and its commitment to the well-being of Lagos State’s youth.

According to him, “The Administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has never defaulted in the payment of WAEC fees of all public school SS3 Students in the 4 years of his first term in office. The State Government paid over N4.2b between 2020 and 2023 to keep our promise of full payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees.

“In the current school year, (2024) The Governor has approved the sum of N1,571,076,000 as registration fees and other cost for 58, 188 SS3 students writing the West Africa School Certificate Examination. “

In the same vein, the commissioner announced that the Lagos State Government has successfully reabsorbed 13,000 out-of-school children into basic and secondary education over the past four years.

According to him, over 2,600 of these children were rescued and reabsorbed into the education system in just the last one year alone.

In addition to this achievement, the Commissioner highlighted the state’s efforts to motivate teachers in public primary and secondary schools through prompt salary payments, wage awards, training, and improved teaching environments.

This has helped to boost teacher morale and improve the overall quality of education in the state.

The Commissioner also addressed recent issues in education, including the denial of admission to Nigerian children at a school in Ilupeju.

He assured that the ministry has taken swift action, visiting the school and promising appropriate sanctions for any wrongdoing.