Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has expressed deep concern over the declining state of education and infrastructure in the state, vowing to implement urgent reforms through direct engagement with stakeholders in the sector.
Speaking on Wednesday in Jalingo, the governor described the educational and technological conditions across the state as “very bad,” citing unreliable data and outdated systems as major barriers to effective planning and policy execution.
“Most of the data we have is not reliable. Unconfirmed reports indicate that we have over 500 public secondary schools and around 300 private schools, but without accurate information, planning becomes difficult,” Kefas said.
In a shift from traditional approaches, the governor announced a plan to meet directly with teachers and principals in all parts of the state. He also directed schools to reactivate their Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to support grassroots-level development.
“We are going to break the jinx of relying on traditional stakeholders and instead deal directly with those who are directly affected—the teachers, principals, and students. Stakeholders often come with their own interests and challenges,” he stated.
To tackle the widespread decay in school infrastructure, Kefas pledged to release funds directly to schools for urgent rehabilitation works, including repairing leaking roofs and supplying desks.
“We’re sending the money straight to them. They know what needs to be done and can act faster,” the governor assured.
He also revealed plans for a statewide biometric verification exercise to properly identify genuine civil servants, particularly within the education workforce. He noted that a number of individuals currently on the payroll may lack proper documentation or defined roles.
“They are not ghosts, but they weren’t properly employed. We must ensure that everyone receiving a salary is truly working and qualified for the position,” he added.
Governor Kefas noted that the state is preparing for a significant wave of retirements and emphasized the need to train a new generation of workers. According to him, the biometric system will ensure fairness in recruitment and career progression.
“We want to give everyone an equal opportunity. If you’re a civil servant, you should be worthy of your wages. We want to pay people who are actually working,” he concluded.
Daily Post gathered that the reform initiative will be implemented in phases, beginning with verification and infrastructure assessments in public schools across the state in the coming weeks.
