Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has prohibited all forms of payments in public primary and secondary schools across the state, emphasizing the enforcement of compulsory school attendance for children of school age.
In his New Year address on Wednesday, Governor Otti announced an imprest system for school principals and head teachers, allocating monthly allowances for the smooth running of their schools.
“We have stopped all forms of payments in primary and secondary schools. Not even PTA levies should be charged to any parent or guardian in any public school in the state,” Otti declared. “Head teachers and school principals are now entitled to specific sums every month for managing day-to-day school operations.
“There is no excuse to extort or deny any child the opportunities of learning and enlightenment. We shall strictly enforce this policy, and it would be a grievous mistake to test our resolve,” he warned.
Otti highlighted his administration’s plan to allocate 35% of the state’s budget to interventions in education and health. He also pledged to transform schools into centers of excellence for effective teaching and learning.
“As the law mandating all children of school age to attend school takes effect today, it will be unlawful to find any child outside a classroom during school hours once the new term begins,” he stated.
Governor Otti emphasized his administration’s focus on building systems that prioritize the needs of the people, particularly through critical investments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and environmental recovery.
“We have evolved a system that channels public resources to projects yielding the highest social and economic dividends, especially for the downtrodden,” he said.
Otti reiterated his commitment to the security of lives and property in Abia, stating, “We shall not hesitate to deploy the full might of the government against any individual or group whose activities threaten the safety of our people.”
The governor unveiled a plan to allocate ₦18.9 billion to support economically vulnerable individuals and families in the state.
“This provision underlines our determination to redistribute wealth and ensure the fruits of prosperity reach everyone, particularly those at the lowest income levels,” he said.
He also promised to maintain the regular payment of salaries and pensions, recognizing the contributions of civil servants and retirees to the state’s development.
Governor Otti expressed his administration’s commitment to fostering an investor-friendly environment, particularly in agriculture, and highlighted the vital role of artisans and blue-collar workers in Abia’s progress.
“No segment of society will be left behind in our robust development agenda for the New Year,” he affirmed.
