As part of measures to promote and inculcate a positive attitude to reading, the Kwara State Government has distributed education materials to public secondary school students across the Local Government Areas, while reiterating its commitment to the provision of quality education in the State.

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa'adatu Modibbo Kawu, stated this yesterday at the official flag-off of the distribution of education materials to learners across the State, held at Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin.

The Commissioner disclosed that the intention was to encourage and revive a reading habit, which was gradually going extinct due to the advent of computers, among others.

According to her, a reading culture promotion is a strategy adopted by the government to improve the learners’ vocabulary and enhance their communication skills.

"Appropriate measures would, therefore, be adopted to turn the State to a reading State and her citizens to reading people", she said.

“Government will also strive to provide necessary support to schools and libraries that will encourage a reading culture across board", Hajia Modibbo Kawu further explained.

The Commissioner also advised Kwarans to encourage shared reading, saying that children should be educated on the importance of books and reading to their educational pursuit.

Hajia Modibbo Kawu particularly enjoined parents to form the habit of reading always to the admiration of their wards with a view to encouraging them.

The Commissioner charged students across the State to reciprocate government's gesture by remaining committed to their academic pursuits and shunning acts capable of truncating their education ambitions.

The students, who responded, commended the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for providing the materials that would enhance their education.

In another development, the Kwara State Government has tasked Principals of Senior Secondary Schools across the State to continue to contribute their quota towards securing the future of the State, as leaders that build future leaders. .

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa'adatu Modibbo Kawu, said this, while addressing the Principals of all Senior Secondary Schools across the State at the floating exercise, which marked the commencement of West African Schools Certificate Examination (WAEC) registration, at Saint Anthony's Secondary School, Ilorin.

Hajia Modibbo Kawu appreciated the unrelenting efforts of the principals in ensuring good working relationships with the State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to enhance quality education in the State.

She warned the principals to shun extortion during the registration, saying whoever is found wanting would face the consequences of such an act.

The Commissioner stressed that the Ministry will not tolerate extra charges from any principal apart from the ones approved by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, warning them against all acts that can dent their images during the examination.

She also solicited the support of the principals for the present administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who she said is wholeheartedly committed to the welfare of teachers and citizens.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Bello Tauheed Abubakar, applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for moving the education sector forward in the State, explaining that the present administration has done justice to improving teachers' welfare.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olanrewaju Rebecca Bake, applauded the Governor for his unalloyed effort at revamping the education sector in the State and called on teachers in the State to be on top of their jobs.

Earlier, the Director, Curriculum and Assessment Department of the Ministry, Mrs. Adewuyi Victoria Funmilayo, gave the breakdown of the approved registration fees for WAEC 2024/2025 as highlighted below:

WAEC Charges: N27,000.00

E-registration Charges: N1,250.00

Administrative Charges: N2,000.00

Total fees to be paid: N30,250.00

In his own contribution, the President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, Kwara State wing, Comrade Mohammad Salihu Baba, applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for putting smiles on the faces of teachers across the State.

Comrade Baba thanked the Governor for revamping the education system in the State through the rehabilitation and construction of schools across the State as well as prompt payment of salaries and promotion of teachers.

He promised to justify the confidence reposed in them by being up and doing in discharging their professional duties.