Abia To Recruit 2,500 Teachers, Enforce Out-of-School Children Policy

The Abia State Government has informed that no fewer than 2,500 teachers will be recruited for the State’s Primary and Secondary Schools.

This is just as the Government reaffirmed its commitment towards the strict implementation of its Out-of-School policy.

At a media briefing at the end of this week’s Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, the State capital, Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu stated that the recruitment exercise, which is the first phase of a wider process, is aimed at improving the Primary and Secondary education sector in the State.

According to him, the Council, in arriving at a decision, takes into consideration the observed shortfalls in the required number of teachers, particularly in some core science subjects.

He explained that the decision further underscores the importance the State Government attaches to the growth and development of the education sector.

Prince Kanu however, noted that the modalities for the exercise will be worked out in less than no time.

“This, of course, is another pointer to how important the Education Sector is to the current administration in the State.

The modalities for this recruitment exercise will be made public before the end of the week”,  the Commissioner stated.

According to Kanu, the State Government has launched an enforcement team known as “School Marshalls” to ensure the full implementation of its new law prohibiting children of school age from loitering about during school hours.

The Source reports that the State Government recently enacted a law on free basic education (Primary and Junior Secondary).

Under the law, it is an offence for parents and guardians not to send their children to school.

Similarly, the law also frowns at children of school age seen either loitering about or hawking on the streets during school hours.

The Commissioner for Information informed that the School Marshall will comprise officials of the Abia State Harmonized Task Force, Security agencies, the Judiciary, as well as other relevant stakeholders within the education sector.

As part of its enforcement strategies, the School Marshall, he noted, will be patrolling the streets and other areas, with a view to identifying school-age children not attending schools.

Apprehended children will subsequently lead the School Marshalls to their parents for questioning and possible punishments, Kanu warned.

The Commissioner appealed to Parents and guardians to avail themselves of this golden opportunity to give their wards basic education.