Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has made it known to the residents that not enrolling children of school-going age is now a criminal offense.
He disclosed this at Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration.
Alex noted that the policy would be supported by legislation by the Abia State House of Assembly that would prescribe a penalty for offenders.
“From now on, it is an offence for any child that is of school age not to be sent to school.
“We are going to back that up with legislation, and that legislation will prescribe penalties for any parent who refuses to bring out his child for education.”
Also, he said scholarships would be created for children whose parents are financially disadvantaged.
This will ensure that every child of school age goes to school, promising that no child in the state will be marginalised or molested.
Furthermore, he abolished the payment of levies for special books by students of the school for the blind, Afaraukwu, and donated a bus to them.
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Alex Otti apologised to Abia children for the past administrations that owed teachers salaries and left school environments to rot.
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