Abia Records Huge Rise In School Enrolment Under Otti’s Free Education Policy

Abia State has recorded a significant increase in public school enrolment following the introduction of the compulsory free basic education policy by Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the chairman of the state’s Education Marshals, Kenechukwu Nwosu, has said.

Nwosu disclosed this in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital, while highlighting the achievements of the Education Marshals, established about 16 months ago.

“Since the introduction of the compulsory free basic education policy and establishment of the marshals, there had been a huge surge in school enrolment across the state,” he said.

Nwosu, who is also the governor’s adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, said the primary responsibility of the marshals was to identify out-of-school children and ensure they returned to the classroom.

He explained that the marshals enrolled the children in the nearest schools before reaching out to their parents or guardians to establish why they were not attending school.

“So that is why we take such children and enrol them in a school, the nearest school within that area. Then we also now reach out to their parents or guardians,” he said.

According to him, the marshals adopt a gradual approach to enforcing the policy, engaging parents and guardians to understand the circumstances keeping their children out of school.

“You know, when you want to introduce a policy, you don’t go straight with an iron fist. You start step by step to ensure that your goals and your aspirations are met,” he said.

Nwosu added that the initiative had also provided school uniforms and instructional materials to some children to support their return to school.

“In some cases, we have also provided the children with school uniforms and instructional materials. And we’ve achieved quite a whole lot of success in that area,” he said.

He said the marshals had also intensified public enlightenment campaigns in motor parks, marketplaces and other public places to educate parents and guardians on the importance of sending their children to school.

The state government had earlier said the Education Marshals were established to enforce its compulsory free basic education policy.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of an Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Otti at Government House, Umuahia.

Kanu said the marshals would be supported by the state’s harmonised task force and relevant community stakeholders to enforce the policy.

“The marshals will be assisted by the state’s harmonised task force and other necessary community stakeholders to enforce this critical policy,” he said.