Abia Government to criminalise deliberate non-enrollment of school age children

Abia Governor Dr. Alex Otti has announced his administrations resolve to criminalise the deliberate non-enrollment of school age children in Abia state.

He noted that a legislation was in the works at the state house of Assembly to make the law which bans the non enrollment of school age children.

He apologized for the leadership failures of the past which led to the erosion of educational standards in the state.

The Governor made this revelation at the ceremonies marking the annual children’s day celebrations which held at the Umuahia township stadium.

He pledged his administrations commitment to significantly improve the status of children in the state because they are the leaders of tomorrow and will require all necessary help for their overall wellbeing and development.

He vowed to protect child rights as enshrined in the universal declaration of the rights of the child which Nigeria has fully adopted as he further stated that his resolve to criminalise the deliberate non-enrollment of school age children in Abia state will be followed up with a legislation by the House of Assembly.

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In keeping with his administrations commitment to protect children and the vulnerable, the governor made the pronouncements that the school for the blind Afara will be given a school bus and all special learning materials for free going forward.

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He also renamed the school for the deaf and mentally retarded to school for the deaf and mentally challenged while also promising that the state government will deliver a bus to the school.

The governor also instructed the commissioner for education to commence the process to establish a secondary school for the deaf and mentally challenged children in Abia state.

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Governor Alex Otti reiterated his governments resolved to commit twenty percent of the states 2024 budget to revamp education in Abia.

Globally, May 27 annually is marked as children’s day with a focus on issues affecting the welfare of children. Children from schools across the state participated in several events to mark the day which includes debates, cultural displays, match pass amongst others. The best performing schools won various cash prices and trophies.