The Dr. Alex Otti-led Abia State government is set to introduce free and compulsory education for all children in the state, with effect from January 2025.
According to Prince Okey Kanu, the state Commissioner for Information, who briefed Journalists after the State Executive Council meeting, the
policy covers pupils from primary one to Junior Secondary School three in all public schools.
He explained that parents and guardians who fail to send their children to school in accordance with the new policy shall be liable to be prosecuted.
The commissioner said: “In line with the Abia State Child’s Rights Law 2006, it will now be an offence for parents not to send their children and wards to school in Abia State.
“Education is free in Abia State up to the end of Junior Secondary School. There is no reason whatsoever why parents will not send their children to school.
“So, from the first of January 2025 when this policy will fully come into effect, defaulting parents will be prosecuted under that law.
“This policy is in fulfilment of what the educational sector represents for this government. Recall that at the inception of this administration, a state of emergency was declared in the educational sector.”
Kanu also disclosed that the government had awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of nine additional roads in different parts of the state, promising to make available details of the new road projects later.
