Gov.Okorocha begins payment of stipend to school children.

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, has commenced the payment of monthly stipend to primary and secondary schools students.

The payment takes off simultaneously in each of the 27 local government areas (Tuesday 1st November, 2011).

While primary school pupils receive N100, their secondary school counterparts will get N120. Also, primary school monitors will get N120, while prefects in the secondary schools will receive N150.

Addressing Journalists shortly after a meeting with Gov. Okorocha, top government officials and stakeholder in the education sector in the state, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji disclosed that committees have been set up in the 27 LGAs to visit all the schools for the purpose of making the payment.

Prof. Osuji added that the fund had been released for the October stipend, adding that Gov. Okorocha, his Deputy, sir. Jude Agbaso and other top government officials will equally participate in the exercise to give pupils/students the sense of belonging they deserve from the government.

The Special Adviser stated that government would also kick start the policy implementation on Education with the construction of 305 European standard schools in each electoral wards in the 27 local government areas of the state, adding that each of the schools would be centrally sited.

He also disclosed that a committee has been set up by government to ascertain the actual data of students enrolled in the already existing schools in the state, as well as infrastructural facilities.

The governor’s aides further stated that a joint committee of SEMB, SUBEB and NUT would be chaired by a top government official appointed by the governor, including the transition committee chairmen and Directors of Administration and General Services will be saddled with the responsibility of implementing the free education policy in the LGAs.

Prof. Osuji also disclosed that the committee is further charged with responsibilities of awarding construction contracts, payment of stipends and supervision of the school fencing project.

He however stated that teachers in the state will be promptly paid to cope with the challenges of implementing the new state policy on Education.

Omeoga Ugomma

For: SSA to the Governor (Media)

MM says:

November 3, 2011 at 1:30 AM

pecwhat is the money for, anyone with an idea? I am worried that it would encourage kids to indulge in unhealthy behaviours like smoking, bad eating habits and so on. Why is it given to the kids not the parents? Kids below school goign age , do they qualify?

By the way I am a South Africa, so my background is different. whay not school feeding project , what is the stipent trying to address? Hope my questions are relevant and will assist.

Ken Duru says:

November 3, 2011 at 3:52 AM

A good idea from a good governor.But i would have prefer the money given to their parents instead of this kids cos it will indulge them into many evil activities like smoking,womanizing,drinking & all sorts of evils deeds more importantly as majority of them are minors. Please My able Governor & state house of assembly look into this their parents would be a nice option for the minors.Let’s apply risk here.(07069282459)

Nwankwo C. says:

November 11, 2011 at 5:41 AM

Whatever formular applied by the government to reach the grassroot should be commended. It may be improved upon and it is not forever. Somebody initiated free eduaction. Somebody tried the establishment of first Television Network in Nigeria. It is better to try and fail than not to try at all. Do you think that those undergraduates who received about N200 bursary each(which is about N30,000 today)in 1982 from Chief Sam Mbakwe’s regime were more experienced or more knowlegeable than the present day secondary school students in things of life? Majority of the present day students handle more than the stated stipend which are given by parents or guardians.