By Femi Bolaji

Two years after the Taraba State Government introduced free education in all public primary and secondary schools, enrollment figures have witnessed a significant surge, reflecting the success of the policy in promoting inclusive and equitable access to education.

The tuition-free policy, first announced by Governor Agbu Kefas on July 7, 2023, during a tour of public schools in Wukari, has led to a dramatic increase in student enrollment across the state.

According to data from the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, obtained through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Strategic Communications, primary school enrollment has risen by 37.91%, while secondary school enrollment has increased by 84.46% since the policy was implemented.

Before the policy came into effect, public primary schools had a total of 760,597 pupils, while secondary schools enrolled 100,950 students. As of July 2025, enrollment figures have grown to 1,049,000 pupils in primary schools and 186,235 students in secondary schools—an increase of 288,403 and 85,285 respectively.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Strategic Communications, Nelson Dimas, described the growth as a “quiet revolution of hope,” particularly for families in rural and low-income communities.

“What we’re witnessing in Taraba isn’t just an uptick in enrollment,” Dimas said. “It’s the quiet revolution of hope returning to households. The chalkboard now competes with the street for the attention of our children—and for once, the classroom is winning.”

He noted that the policy has relieved thousands of families previously unable to afford school fees, allowing many children to either begin or resume formal education.

To accommodate the growing student population, Dimas revealed that the state government is constructing 60 model schools across the 16 local government areas. The initiative aims to reduce overcrowding in existing schools and provide a conducive learning environment.

He emphasized that the infrastructure expansion would further help reduce the number of out-of-school children across the state and reinforce Taraba’s commitment to delivering quality education for all.