The Members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly havedeclared have vindicated the state commissioner of education who was severely criticized
in recent days for insisting that only eligible and qualified candidates willenjoy the support of the state government on WAEC sponsorship.The commissioner was summoned by the state assembly to explainthe rationale behind government decision to downsize the number of candidatesto enjoy the government sponsorship.
The commissioner who appeared before the house explainedunequivocally that the decision was necessary in view of continues racketeeringcorruption and infiltration of non-existent and unqualified candidates as hasbeen the norm.
Honorable Yunusa Ahmad and Hon. Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo who saidthey were satisfied with the explanation offered by Dr. Tilde on the policy insistedthat the house must support the government to enable it address the anomaliesin the system.
In their separateremarks, Hon. Gazali Abubakar and Hon. Sabo Bako Sade argued that although thepolicy may be painful for some people, government should remain resolute in implementingpolicies that will have enduring impacts on the lives of the citizens.
The Honourable Members welcome the policies introduced by DrTilde to compliment the efforts of Governor Bala Mohammed in reforming theeducation sector.
They requested the Commissioner to pay much attention tobasic infrastructure in secondary schools, welfare of teachers as well asproviding enabling environment for students to improve their capacity andperformance.
The Commissioner of Education Dr. Aliyu Usman Tilde told theHouse that the law for sponsorship of students for WAEC was made in 2008 whereit stated that the State Government should sponsor only students who pass mockor any other aptitude test examination.
The Commissioner who blamed Principalswho deliberatelyallocate marks to students as against the MOCK examinations says suchmalpractices should be discouraged.
He said government must remain focused on getting rid of corrupttendencies that consistently marred the system for decades.
The Commissioner said former Governors Isa Yuguda and M. AAbubakar have suffered a lot on this racketeering for their inability to getcredible people that will sanitize the system.
On the status of those who failed the MOCK, the Commissionersaid since they have reached SS3 they can pay and write for their examinationsas already the state government had requested WAEC to extend the registrationperiod.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman who presided overthe plenary thanked the Commissioner for the insightful and satisfyingexplanations on the matter.
