Ahead of the September 16 resumption date, the Abia State government has begun posting security personnel to select public schools in the state to protect pupils, students, staff, and property.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, announced this during a press briefing following this week’s Executive Committee meeting, which was presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
“The move, which fulfills an earlier promise, is aimed at securing the lives and property of the pupils, students, teachers, and the schools’ assets.
“This initiative is also part of the government’s broader agenda to provide seamless education and to reform and reposition the education sector,” he noted.
According to the commissioner, 5,746 teachers have been earmarked for promotion, with 2,000 out of which 200 have already been trained and scheduled to undergo master trainer program training.
“Under the Abia State School Enhancement Team program, the state’s Universal Basic Education Board has screened 40 teachers to ensure quality assurance and adherence to school guidelines.”
Additionally, Kanu explained that the government has set up a panel of experts to oversee the upgrade of the School of Nursing, Amachara, to a College of Nursing Sciences.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Kenechukwu Nwosu, stated that the government is mapping out the schools to determine their security needs and address them accordingly.