Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has officially criminalized the non-enrollment of school-age children within the state. He issued a stern warning to parents and guardians who fail to enroll their children or wards of school age, indicating that such neglect will incur severe penalties.
This announcement was made during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration at Umuahia Township Stadium.
Governor Otti emphasized that the new policy will be supported by legislation from the Abia State House of Assembly, which will outline specific penalties for offenders.
“From now on, it is an offence for any child of school age not to be sent to school,” he declared. “We are going to back that up with a legislation and that legislation will prescribe penalties for any parent who refuses to bring out his child for education.”
Additionally, the governor announced the creation of scholarships for children from financially disadvantaged families, ensuring that every school-age child in Abia State receives an education. He assured that no child would be marginalized or mistreated under his administration.
Governor Otti also abolished the levies for special books previously required from students at the School for the Blind in Afaraukwu and donated a bus to the institution.
The governor was visibly emotional at the Umuahia Township Stadium as he took the salute from the pupils, expressing his distress over the condition of children with special needs, such as those who are deaf.
He issued an apology to the children of Abia State for the shortcomings of past administrations, particularly the failure to pay teachers’ salaries and the neglect of educational environments.
