The Abia State Government has approved funds for the Ministry of Education to support the offices of Heads of Schools across the state, in a bid to eliminate illegal fee collections in primary and secondary schools.
This decision was announced following the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at Government House, Umuahia, and presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, stated that the initiative is part of the ongoing reforms in the state’s education sector, aimed at easing the pressure on school administrators and addressing concerns over extortion of pupils.
Kanu explained that by providing running costs for school heads, the government hopes to eradicate cases of illegal fee collections.
Kanu stated, “Hitherto, we used to hear stories of illegal fee collections, possibly due to pressure on the heads of such institutions. So, the state government has taken steps to make this a thing of the past by providing funds for the heads of primary and secondary schools in the state.”
In addition to education sector reforms, Kanu also reported the completion of 124 road projects under the state’s zero-pothole initiative, with particular focus on Aba and Umuahia.
Further, the state government has initiated the registration of all commercial vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles operating in the state.
The Chairman of the Abia State Unified Task Force, Uzor Azubuike, explained that the registration aims to assist security agents in identifying vehicle owners and operators, enhancing public safety.
Affected vehicle owners were urged to complete the registration before enforcement of the policy begins.
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