Abia Govt Says it’s an offense for parents ,guardians to deny their wards right to basic Education,
…As Gov. declares Tuition -free policy in state
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Abia State Government has declared that it is now an offence for parents in the state to fail to send their children and wards to school starting from January 1st, 2025.
The Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu made this known in Government House, Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu who said that the decision was part of the ongoing reforms in the educational sector of the state stated that the issue of poverty is no longer a reason for non acquisition of free and basic education in Abia State.
He harped on the need for parents to take advantage of the tuition- free policy in the state to send their children and wards to school, warning that defaulting parents would be prosecuted in line with the Abia State Child’s Law 2006.
” In line with the Abia State Child’s 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 till the end of Junior Secondary School. There is no reason whatsoever why parents will not send their children to school .
“So, as 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.” Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner reiterated that the relocation order of the Umuahia campus of the Abia State University to the mother campus at Uturu remains irreversible.
“Government’s position about the order remains unshakable because the decision in the first place was taken in the over all interest and well-being of the university.
“The State Government will implement this policy to the later. However, as a listening government that conducts state affairs with human face, all affected stakeholders will be fully engaged to enable the State Government allay their fears and anxieties if any about the relocation order.”
The Commissioner said that Abia State Government would leave its doors open for the Organized Labour in the State to engage in further discussions as it concerns issues of the newly implemented minimum wage.
“As a listening government, the State Government is also leaving its doors open for further engagements with the Organized Labour as the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state commences.
“Government believes that all the issues associated or arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage that requires further attention from government would be fully attended to.” Prince Kanu stated.
