Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has urged the authorities of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) to eradicate the policy of preferential waiver given to Kaduna State and others perceived as educationally disadvantaged.
Governor el-Rufai made the observation during a Channels television programme – Sunrise Daily. He argued that the policy has had a backlash on the educational trajectory of the state.
He said: “Kaduna has not been an educational advantage State since Independence even though we have been given preferences in JAMB scores and all that does not help. In fact, it has made our people lazy.
“The preferential JAMB scores I think people should be encouraged to work harder for it and we are preparing our children in Kaduna State to be competitive not only in Nigeria but globally.”
While responding to the question on the continued closure of schools across the State, the governor assured that his administration will start reopening schools in the next few weeks, adding that the security of students remains a priority of the government.
He also reiterated the State’s resolve to revitalize the College of Education as well as teachers’ training college.
According to him, after the sack of 22,000 teachers, the government employed 25,000 qualified teachers with a view to improving the quality of education in Kaduna State.
Governor el-Rufai also noted that his administration has been able to make adequate investment in education, roads, health and other infrastructure despite the daunting security challenges ravaging the state.
According to him, the State was able to attract $2 billion foreign investment and N23 billion domestic investments.