Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced a ban on all forms of payments in public primary and secondary schools, alongside the enforcement of compulsory school attendance for children of school age. This policy aims to ensure that no child is denied access to education due to financial constraints.
In his New Year speech on Wednesday, Governor Otti explained that the state government has introduced an imprest account system for school principals and headteachers. This system allocates specific monthly allowances for the management of school operations, aiming to streamline funding and eliminate the need for additional payments from parents.
“We have stopped all forms of payments in primary and secondary schools. Not even PTA levies should be charged to any parent or guardian in any public school in the state,” Otti said. “There is, therefore, no excuse to extort or deny any child the opportunities that come with learning and enlightenment. We shall be strict with enforcement and it will be a grievous mistake to test our will.”
Governor Otti also highlighted the state’s commitment to enforcing the law mandating compulsory school attendance for all children of school age. He urged that from the start of the new school term, it will be illegal for any child to be absent from school during school hours.
“The law mandating all children of school age to be in school every school day comes into effect today,” Otti declared. “It will be unlawful to find any child outside the walls of the classroom during school hours.”
In his address, the governor emphasized his administration’s focus on education and health, pledging to allocate 35% of the state’s budget to these sectors. Otti outlined plans to transform Abia’s schools into centres of excellence and boost the overall standard of living in the state.
“We shall fast-track efforts to remake our schools into centres of excellence in effective teaching and learning,” Otti stated. “Our focus is on systems that prioritize the needs of the people, especially the downtrodden, by investing in critical sectors like road infrastructure, health, and education.”
The governor also highlighted plans to enhance security in the state, ensuring that the government would not hesitate to take strong action against those threatening public safety.
“We shall continue to prioritise the security of lives and property,” Otti added, warning that any threats to public safety would be met with the full force of the government.
As part of his New Year initiatives, Governor Otti announced an N18.9 billion allocation to support economically vulnerable individuals and families, stressing the importance of social protection during tough economic times.
“This provision speaks to the determination of the state government to redistribute wealth and ensure that the fruits of social prosperity reach everyone, especially those at the lowest levels of income,” he said.
Otti also pledged continued support for civil servants and retirees, highlighting their significant contributions to the development of the state. Additionally, the governor promised to make Abia more investor-friendly, with a focus on agriculture, and emphasized the importance of artisans and blue-collar workers in the state’s economic progress.
“The young people of this state are its future. No segment of society shall be left behind in the robust social and economic development programme we have outlined for the New Year,” Otti concluded.
