Government of Anambra State has abolished payment of fees in all government-run public schools in the state.
Governor of the state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo stated this at Premier Primary School, Obosi and Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha.
By implication, pupils in Nursery to primary schools, as well as JSS 1 to 3 students will no longer pay any form of fee or levy in Anambra schools starting from the 2023/2024 academic session.
Students in SS 1 to 3 will not pay more than five thousand naira.
Professor Soludo said that the constitution of Nigeria requires government in Nigeria to as soon as it is practicable, offer free primary or secondary education.
The Governor stressed that among the four categories of schools in the state, government-run public schools are the least in terms of infrastructure and otherwise, saying that by the announcement, his administration will begin massive revolution to bring out public education to be a model in the education sector.
He assured to start fixing infrastructure in the schools in the coming weeks and months, expressing the desire to go back to the time when the children of the rich and poor attended the same schools and are taught by the same teachers.
Professor Soludo emphasized that his administration will begin to use education as an opportunity equaliser. He described education as not just the future but the present, saying that the big agenda is to mainstream education as the foundation.
The Governor added that Anambra state has the highest concentration of the most entrepreneurial people in Africa, pointing out that unless children are given access to qualitative education, the future is uncertain.
He noted that his interest is in the learning outcomes, assuring that he will be directly involved in the entire process, asking the communities to get involved as well and promised to pay the fees for SS 1 to to SS of Ado Girls for the first term only.
The Head Teacher of Premier Primary School, Mrs. Udoji Vivian and the Principal of Ado Girls Secondary School, Mrs. Chineke Okocha, highlighted some of their challenges facing their respective schools to the Governor which he promised to look into.
Secretary to the State Government Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief Protocol officer Hon Chinedu Nwoye (Glamour), Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngọzi Chuma-Udeh, Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghamba, Chair persons of PPSSC and ASUBEB, Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu and Mrs. Vera Nwadinobi, among others, attended the event.
