A seven member committee has been constituted to investigate allegations that secondary school principals in Taraba State are extorting students through unauthorised charges for National Examinations Council (NECO) biometric registration, in direct violation of the state's free and compulsory education policy.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, ordered the probe following reports that students in some schools were compelled to pay unauthorised charges for biometric capture. The allegations came to light during the commissioner's inspection visits to affected schools, including Government Science Secondary School and Government College, Jalingo, where she held one on one interactions with students and officials.
Dr Godwin described the allegations as "disturbing and unacceptable," stressing that the ministry operates a zero tolerance policy against any form of exploitation of students and parents under the free education programme of Governor Agbu Kefas. She warned that anyone found culpable during the investigation would face strict disciplinary action, adding that "the ministry will not condone any act that undermines the integrity of the free education system or imposes undue financial burden on students and parents."
The seven member committee is headed by the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Idris A. Goje, and has been mandated to verify the claims, identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate sanctions. The commissioner assured that the panel would submit its report within a stipulated time frame, after which necessary measures would be taken.
Dr Godwin urged parents, guardians, and other stakeholders to remain calm and support the investigation by reporting similar incidents through appropriate channels, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of students' welfare across public schools in the state.
