Education
Abia to sanctions private schools compelling parents to buy customized textbooks
Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution directing its Committee on Education to invite the Commissioner for Basic Education of the leadership of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) and other related functionaries.
The aim of the invitation is for an interaction on the current ‘lucrative business’ of sales and use of customized text and exercise books in schools.
According to the Abia State House of Assembly, the current trend is to the detriment of parents and the society at large.
The Speaker of the Abia parliament, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the resolution during plenary.
Hon. Emeruwa said that serious attention was to be beamed on the activities of the operators of institutions where the future generations are groomed.
The Speaker added that the Committee has two weeks within which to report back to the House.
The resolution followed a motion on the use of customized text and exercise books in private schools in Abia State.
The motion was brought before the House by the member representing Aba Central, Hon. Stephen Ucheonye.
Ucheonye had, through his motion, alleged that some proprietors of schools sell books at exorbitant prices.
He also stressed that such practice makes it impossible for any two persons to make use of one textbook.
He called on the House to intervene and halt the continued extortion of parents and guardians in the state and out of the states.
Matter of urgency
The House during plenary also passed a resolution urging the State government to, as a matter of urgency, to urge the Federal Government deploy medical doctors and other relevant personnel to the Sustainable Development Multi-Purpose Hospital in Ugwunagbo.
The resolution was channeled through the Commissioner for Health.
This, according to the House, is to take care of the health concerns of patients who visited the hospital in their numbers for medical solutions.
The resolution was sequel to a matter of Urgent Public Importance brought before the House by the member representing Ugwunagbo State Constituency, Chijioke Uruakpa.
Alex Otti to train 12,000 teachers
In another development, the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has embarked on moves to train 12,000 teachers.
Governor Otti, on August 13, 2024, had initiated significant measures to reform the state’s education sector.
He aims to train 12,000 teachers and reclaim 180 public schools that have been alienated and encumbered.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, made this announcement during a press briefing at the Government House, Umuahia, following the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
As part of the ongoing education sector reforms, 12,000 teachers across the state will undergo extensive training during the summer break to prepare for the new-look schools set to be operational by September 2024.
Governor Otti has constituted a dedicated committee to oversee the recovery of these public schools.
The committee members are the Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, as the Chairman, while the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Eme Uche-Eme, is the Secretary.
Other members of the committee include:
- Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwana
- Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije
- Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzo Nwachukwu
- General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuoh
- General Manager, Greater Aba Development Agency (GADA), Mr. Uche Ukeje
- Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr. Ken Nwosu.
The committee’s primary task is to identify and recover approximately 180 alienated and encumbered public schools across the State.
This effort is part of a broader initiative to eliminate the misappropriation of school lands by a privileged few and ensure that all school properties are used exclusively for educational purposes and other wise.
The council also includes consultants who have completed a full diagnostic assessment of the educational sector in Abia State.
They will be working in conjunction with the education commissioner to revamp school curricula.
Misuse of school
The State Government has condemned the misuse of schools that have been handed over to various missionary and organizations, emphasizing that such institutions must be used solely for educational activities.
Organizations unable to properly operate these schools are advised to return them to the government immediately.
In its journey to transform the educational landscape, the Abia State government has engaged world-class consultants to drive reforms in its education sector.
A high-level meetings was held with the Polish and Bulgarian governments to ensure that the sector drives development, with both countries expressing interest in the state’s education initiatives.
Opening of JAMB CBT Centres
The state Ministry of Education is working to relocate pupils from closed private schools to enable them to continue their studies.
Efforts are underway to reopen JAMB CBT centres in the state, with 10 centres already reopened and more expected to open early next year.
The accreditation of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) has commenced, accompanied by upgrades to facilities and the acquisition of new faculties.
The requirements are not met.
On November 15, 2023, the Abia State Government sealed 197 private schools for failing to meet the required minimum standards.
Kanu, who disclosed that about 900 schools have so far been inspected, said the inspection of the school is ongoing as at the last count, about 900 schools have been inspected.
A few of the schools are not so lucky, having failed the test of the required standards and were shut down immediately.
Accessing the Hospital
Also, the Commissioner for Health Dr Ngozi okoronkwo, who was in attendance, said that over 8,000 residents have accessed the ongoing free medical care given by the state government.
She also added that the process of enhancing the capacity of the cottage hospital at Abayi, Aba, will soon be completed.
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