Out-of-school Children’s Parent, Guardian In Abia Risks Prosecution

With effect from January 1, 2025, any parents or guardians in Abia State that failed to send their child or ward to school risk prosecution.

The state’s commissioner for information, Okey Kanu stated this at the executive council meeting, chaired by Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia, the capital.

“In line with Abia State Child’s Law 2006, it will now be an offence for parents or guardians not to send their children or wards to school in the state.

“Education is free in Abia State up to junior secondary school level. There is no reason whatsoever parents or guardians will not send their children or wards to school,” he said

The commissioner added that the resolution is part of the administration’s ongoing reforms in the education sector to ensure that finance is not a challenge to basic education in the state.

Kanu, who recalled that at inception, the administration declared a state of emergency in the sector, urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the policy.

Speaking on the government’s recent order for relocation of Umuahia Campus of the state University Uturu to the main campus, he emphasized that the order is irreversible.

“Government’s position on the order remains unshakable because the resolution in the first place was taken in the overall interest and well-being of the university.

“However, as a listening administration, the affected stakeholders will be fully engaged to enable the government allay their fears and anxieties if any about the order.”