New Educational Policy in Abia State: Mandatory School Attendance Enforcement Begins January 2025.

The Abia State government has announced that, effective January 1, 2025, it will be an offence for parents to fail to send their children and wards to school. This significant policy change was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, during a press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, following the State Executive Council meeting led by Governor Alex Otti.

This initiative is part of the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing the educational sector within the state. Commissioner Kanu underscored that poverty will no longer serve as an excuse for non-enrolment, given the provision of free and basic education available up to the completion of Junior Secondary School. He urged parents to capitalize on this tuition-free policy and emphasized that failure to comply will result in legal actions against defaulters, as stipulated by the Abia State Child’s Law of 2006.

Kanu articulated that the government’s commitment to educational access is unwavering. He stated, “There is no reason whatsoever why parents will not send their children to school,” reinforcing the expectation that the community will heed this mandate.

In addition to the educational reforms, the Commissioner addressed other pressing issues, including the irreversible relocation of the Umuahia campus of Abia State University to its main campus at Uturu and the urgent need to repair the failing flyover at Osisioma, a project from the previous administration.

As Abia State prepares for this new mandate, the government remains dedicated to safeguarding educational rights and fostering a culture of learning within the state.