The Abia State government has announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide free education to all students, regardless of their state of origin, up to the secondary school level.
This ambitious policy, which will take effect in January 2025, ensures that education from primary one to Junior Secondary School three in all public schools will be tuition-free.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing following the State Executive Council meeting. Kanu emphasized the government’s commitment to education, stating that parents and guardians who fail to comply with the new policy will face prosecution.
“From January 2025, parents and guardians who fail to send their children or wards to school will face legal consequences. Non-compliance with the education directive will be treated as a punishable offence,” he warned.
Kanu also highlighted that the policy aligns with the Abia Child’s Rights Law of 2006, which mandates that it is an offence for parents not to send their children or wards to school.
“In line with the Abia Child’s Rights Law 2006, it’s now an offence for parents not to send their children or wards to school because the Government has made education free and compulsory,” he reiterated.
The initiative is part of the Governor Alex Otti-led administration mission to provide quality and affordable education to all children in the state.
“There is no reason whatsoever why parents should not send their children to school,” Kanu asserted. “The issue of indigency is no longer the reason for non-acquisition of free and basic education in Abia State.”
In addition to the education policy, the Abia State government announced plans to relocate the Law Faculty of the Abia State University from the Umuahia campus back to the Uturu main campus, citing public interest as the driving force behind the decision.
Furthermore, the government is committed to addressing issues related to the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The commissioner revealed that the governor has directed the Commissioner for Works to carry out immediate repairs on the Osisioma ‘fly-over,’ a project completed by the previous administration that has already shown signs of deterioration. Kanu expressed regret over the situation, noting that “the ‘fly-over’ which is the signature project of that administration has started failing within two years.”
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