Starting January 1, 2025, Abia State will begin prosecuting parents who do not send their children to school, following new directives announced by Governor Alex Otti.
The policy aims to enforce school attendance, particularly in light of Abia’s tuition-free education initiative.
Announcing the decision at the Government House in Umuahia, Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu briefed journalists on the recent resolution from the State Executive Council meeting led by Governor Otti. This initiative is part of broader educational reforms designed to eliminate barriers to education for every child in the state.
Kanu highlighted that poverty will no longer be an acceptable reason for a child’s absence from school in Abia, as basic education up to Junior Secondary School is now entirely free. He urged parents to embrace this policy to secure their children’s future, noting that non-compliance will result in legal action under the Abia State Child’s Law of 2006.
“From January 1, 2025, parents who fail to enroll their children in school will face prosecution in accordance with the Abia State Child’s Law,” Kanu stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child receives an education in the state.
