Abia State Government Declares Free Education for All Children Starting January 2025

Abia State Government has announced a groundbreaking policy, making education free and compulsory for all children within the state, regardless of their state of origin. This initiative, set to take effect from January 2025, will cover education from Primary 1 through to Junior Secondary School 3 in all public schools across the state.

Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, revealed the policy during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting. He emphasized that parents and guardians who fail to send their children to school will face prosecution under the Abia State Child's Rights Law of 2006.

“In line with the Abia State Child’s Rights Law 2006, it will now be an offence for parents not to send their children and wards to school in Abia State,” Kanu stated. He further reiterated that education up to Junior Secondary School would remain free, underscoring that there would be no excuse for parents not to comply.

The policy is part of a broader agenda to overhaul the educational sector in Abia, following the declaration of a state of emergency in education at the beginning of the current administration. The move aims to ensure that every child in Abia State has access to quality education, thus laying a foundation for future growth and development.

In addition to the free education policy, the state government has also embarked on the rehabilitation of nine major roads, with contracts already awarded for the projects. Although the full details of the roadwork are yet to be released, the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure is clear.

With the full implementation of the free education policy starting in January 2025, Abia State is positioning itself as a leader in educational reform and infrastructure development in Nigeria.