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The Abia State government has reiterated its commitment to providing free and compulsory basic education in public schools. Officials warned that individuals found soliciting money from parents before enrolling students will face severe legal consequences.
The announcement was made by Lady Lydia Onuoha, Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, as she facilitated the enrollment of 29 out-of-school children at Community Primary School in Umuala-Nsulu, Isialangwa North LGA.
Organized by the non-governmental organization Caritas Nigeria in collaboration with the state Ministries of Education, Women Affairs, ASUBEB, and the Justice Development and Peace Commission, the event showcased the launch of the Education Trust Fund to support local pupils.
Onuoha, through ASUBEB director Mrs. Nnenna Okenwa, revealed that the Governor Alex Otti administration is focused on implementing plans to upgrade public schools, ensuring they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best private schools in the region.
She said, “Governor Otti is insisting that basic education must be free and compulsory, so if anybody is asking any child to bring money to be able to remain in school, the government will frown at it.
“The state government is doing a lot of reconstruction in our schools, and very soon when you see the public schools in Abia State, you will not recognize them again. The security of schools through fencing and other facilities that are needed for effective teaching and learning will be made available in our schools.”
Also speaking, the Technical Officer under the Orphan and Vulnerable Children unit of Caritas Nigeria, Mrs Naomi Thompson, said the NGO, which has been in operation for 14 years is partnering with schools and stakeholders from the ministries and communities through a Memorandum of Understanding to enrol out of school children back in schools.
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She said, “Our vision as an implementing organization in Abia State is to create a world where everyone enjoys the fullness of life. So, Hopespring Development Initiative has come to partner Caritas Nigeria to pay the first school leaving certificate examination fee for primary six pupils in Umuola Community Primary School. This is to appreciate your great work and commitment as a school and as a community.”
Mr. Godspower Ahuama, who chairs the School Management Committee, appealed to both government officials and affluent community members to look inward and propose solutions to the challenges facing disadvantaged children, particularly the urgent need to improve dilapidated infrastructure and address teacher shortages in public schools.
With expressions of joy, Eze Patrick Anaba, the community’s traditional leader, headmistress Mrs. Nwakpa Nwolorondu, and the parents of the pupils promised to enhance support for students from the local government area by providing supplementary learning materials.
