The Anambra State Government has officially taken over Central Primary School, Awa, in a move that strengthens its Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative and reinforces Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to free and accessible education.
Established in 2024 and commissioned in January 2025 by the Awa community, the school was built to address the lack of public primary schools after the previous administration returned two institutions in the area to mission authorities. With the takeover, the school is now fully integrated into the state’s education system.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, representing Governor Soludo, praised the Awa community for its foresight in setting up the school. She emphasized that the initiative aligns with the governor’s vision for quality education, citing infrastructure projects like the Amansea-Orumba road network as part of his broader development agenda.
“The establishment of this school reflects Mr. Governor’s determination to make education accessible to every child in Anambra. His impact is visible in all sectors, and this school is another testament to his commitment to development,” she stated.
She urged communities without public schools to take advantage of the government’s PPCP initiative by building at least a two-coach perimeter fence, which the state would then complete.
Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), reaffirmed the government’s dedication to expanding access to education. She acknowledged that returning some schools to mission authorities had created gaps but assured that the administration is working to ensure that every community has at least one public primary school.
The President-General of the Awa Development Union, Chief Raymond Ofor, described the takeover as a significant milestone, stating that it would provide a strong foundation for young learners and enable them to fully benefit from the free education policy.
The event concluded with the formal handover of school ownership documents from the Awa Development Union to the Commissioner for Education, finalizing the school’s integration into the state’s public education system.
