During a session on Wednesday, the House of Representatives dismissed a motion proposing that its members be encouraged to sponsor students in public schools by covering the registration fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.
The motion, titled ‘Need to compel JAMB, WAEC, and NECO examination bodies to register students for free in the 2023-2024 examination exercise,’ was introduced by Anamero Dekeri, a representative of Etsako Federal Constituency in Edo State. Dekeri emphasized the importance of assisting underprivileged parents in educating their children, recognizing the economic challenges faced by many in funding their children’s education, even in public schools.
Dekeri stated, “The House notes that one of the major challenges for low-income parents is the education of their children, particularly the payment of examination fees.” He called on his fellow lawmakers to request the Ministry of Education to declare free registration for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB in 2023 and 2024 to enable the common man to directly benefit from the palliatives related to the removal of fuel subsidies. He also urged the Minister of Finance, Budget, Economic and Financial Planning to devise a comprehensive framework that gives the less privileged a sense of belonging in Nigeria.
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere proposed an amendment to the motion by suggesting that members adopt at least one public secondary school, preferably the one they attended, and pay the students’ examination fees. This, he argued, would be considered a form of corporate social responsibility on their part.
Hassan Doguwa, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, commended Dekeri for the motion but cautioned against obliging lawmakers to commit to paying the examination fees. He stressed the need for the House to be cautious and avoid imposing responsibilities on lawmakers who might already be implementing similar initiatives in their constituencies.
Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member representing Andoni/Opobo Nkoro in Rivers State, expressed concerns about the term “compel” used in the motion’s title, asserting that the House lacked constitutional authority to mandate examination bodies to offer free registration.
Abiante also questioned the potential bias in selecting a particular school for financial support, which might not reflect positively on lawmakers in their constituencies.
When the motion was put to a vote, the majority of lawmakers present voted for it to be set aside. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen gaveled in agreement with the prevailing “nays