The Taraba State Government has suspended the Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Salihu Dogo, Jalingo, in Taraba State, Haruna Joshua, and his examination officer, Ezekiel Rimamsikwe, over an alleged plot to sabotage the free and compulsory education policy in the state.

Joshua and Rimamsikwe were accused of collecting registration fees for the 2024 West African Examination Council and National Examinations Council from students sitting for the external examinations against the directive of the state government.

This was contained in separate letters of suspension dated April 5, 2024, and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Abel Joachim.

In the suspension letter, the permanent secretary accused Joshua and Rimamsikwe of taking money from candidates for the examinations despite the free and compulsory education policy recently introduced by the state governor, Agbu Kefas.

The letter read partly, “In view of the above, you are therefore directed to hand over the school to the Vice Principal, Administration with immediate effect pending when the matter is finally investigated.”

It was reported that a panel had already been inaugurated to investigate the allegations against the duo for necessary action.

In July 2023, Kefas declaredfree educationin all primary and secondary schools across the state.

The development was said to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol. (The PUNCH)