Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has lamented the state of education and infrastructure in the state, vowing to take urgent and direct action to address the long-standing challenges in the sector.
The governor described the state’s education system and technological infrastructure as “very bad,” noting that unreliable data and outdated technology have slowed down ongoing efforts to implement reforms.
“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 on Wednesday in Jalingo.
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 are sending the money straight to them. They know what needs to be done and can act faster,” he said.
The governor also emphasised 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 job roles, resulting in significant salary expenditures for individuals who may not be actively working.
“They are not ghosts, but they were not properly employed. We must ensure that everyone receiving a salary is truly working and qualified for the position,” Kefas explained.
