Abia State to Begin Prosecuting Parents for Failing to Enroll Children in School

The government of Abia State has announced that, beginning January 1, 2025, parents who fail to send their children to school will face legal prosecution. The measure, aimed at ensuring all children in the state receive a basic education, was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, following a State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Commissioner Kanu emphasized that under the Abia State Child’s Law of 2006, it will become a prosecutable offense for parents to neglect enrolling their children in school. He urged families to leverage the state’s tuition-free education policy, which covers schooling up to Junior Secondary School, removing the financial barrier for parents to educate their children.

“Starting January 1, 2025, any parent or guardian who does not send their children or wards to school will be held legally accountable,” Kanu stated. “Education is free in Abia State up to the Junior Secondary level, so there is no reason for children to miss out on schooling.”

This directive is part of the state’s larger educational reform efforts. It highlights a commitment by the Otti administration to make basic education accessible for every child in Abia, as the government tackles systemic issues that have hindered educational development in the state.

The Commissioner also addressed concerns surrounding the recent relocation of the Umuahia campus of Abia State University to its main campus in Uturu, assuring stakeholders that the state would work to alleviate any challenges resulting from the move.

In a related development, Kanu reported that Governor Otti has directed the immediate repair of the Osisioma flyover, a structure constructed by the previous administration and now showing significant structural issues. The directive calls on the Commissioner for Works to prioritize the repair to ensure the safety of all Abians and commuters.