In a bold move to promote education, Abia State’s Governor Alex Otti has made it mandatory for all school-age children to be enrolled in schools.
Parents and guardians who fail to comply with this new rule face severe penalties.
This announcement was made during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration at Umuahia Township Stadium. The governor emphasized that this policy will be reinforced by a legislation from the Abia State House of Assembly, which will outline the penalties for non-compliance.
“Starting today, it is a punishable offense for any parent or guardian to not send their school-age child to school. We will reinforce this with a legislation that will impose penalties on any parent who fails to provide education for their child,” Otti declared.
In addition, the governor announced the establishment of scholarships for children from financially disadvantaged families. This initiative aims to ensure that every school-age child receives an education, with the promise that no child in the state will be marginalized or mistreated.
Furthermore, Governor Otti abolished the payment of levies for special books by students of the school for the blind in Afaraukwu and generously donated a bus to them.
Visibly moved during the Children’s Day salute at Umuahia Township Stadium, the governor expressed his deep concern for children with special needs, such as those who are deaf. He also extended his apologies to the children of Abia for the previous administrations’ failure to pay teachers’ salaries and for neglecting the environment.
