By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
The Covering Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management in Benue State, Mr. Nick Joko, has assured that the upcoming school census will significantly benefit the state, fostering faster growth in the education sector.
In an exclusive interview with Daybreak in Makurdi, Mr. Joko highlighted the commitment of the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to achieving an accurate census of students, staff, and facilities across the state.
According to Mr. Joko, each student is required to pay ₦1,000 to Digital World, the consultant conducting the census, clarifying that the funds are not directed to the ministry and do not amount to the billions alleged by critics.
“What the state stands to gain from this census is immense. We recently returned from an education summit where one key issue discussed was the state’s inability to conduct and upload a school census. This gap has hindered intervention by partners due to the lack of reliable data,” Mr. Joko explained.
He further noted, “Once Digital World completes the census, the state will benefit greatly. Yes, there is a school census, yes, each student pays ₦1,000 for data capturing, and no, the amount is not in billions as rumored.”
Improved Data for Better Outcomes
Mr. Joko emphasized that previous school census efforts lacked accurate data capturing, which limited the state’s ability to plan effectively for the education sector. He stated that the current exercise will go beyond counting students, encompassing staff and facility data to create a comprehensive overview.
He lauded Governor Alia’s administration for its proactive approach, describing the school census as a critical step towards addressing the challenges facing the education sector in Benue State.
Minimum Wage Hike Praised
Mr. Joko also commended Governor Alia for approving a ₦75,000 minimum wage for workers in the state, surpassing the Federal Government’s recommendation.
“I was part of the negotiating committee on the government’s side. I want to sincerely thank the Governor for his kind heart. His approval goes beyond what the Federal Government set as the minimum wage,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary urged civil servants to reciprocate this gesture by improving their productivity, adding that the Governor’s actions demonstrate a commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
