Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has announced the continued payment of the Senior Secondary School Examination fees for students in public schools by the state government.

Governor Bello directed principals of public schools to maintain government policy on payment of examination fees for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE).

The governor’s directive was contained in a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, in Minna on Sunday.

To this end, parents of Basic 12 (SS3) students are to pay for either West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examinations Council (NECO) while government will pick the bill of the other examination.

The governor’s spokesperson said, “In fulfilment of his promise to restore the standard of education at the basic level, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has directed that the status quo on government policy on payment of examination fees for SSSCE should be maintained”.

“With this directive, school principals are only permitted to collect fees for only one of the two examinations while government will pay for the other.

“The governor has directed strict adherence by school principals to twhe policy. Any principal that flouts the directive will be dealt with. Parents are to report any principal that may want to force them to pay for the two examinations.

“Government policy on NECO/WAEC stands and should be adhered to. School principals and parents should take note”.