Pix of Abia State Commissioner for Information and information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu
Abia threatens to punish proprietors for resuming schools ahead of time
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Government has threatened to punish proprietors of private schools that resumed academic activities earlier than September 23, 2024 when schools were slated to resume for the 2024/2025 academic year in the state.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who made this known while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, expressed government’s displeasure with some schools which went ahead to resume for the session against government’s directives that schools should reopen on September 23, 2024 for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Recall that government had announced that schools in the state would resume on September 16, 2024. However, the date was shifted because of the recent Eid-el-Maloud festivals, according to the government.
But Prince Kanu has frowned at the action of those who failed to heed the government directive, describing it as running counter to the strong regulatory measures being put in place by the Governor Alex Otti-led administration in the education sector.
According to him, the Ministry of Education would carry out investigations to identify the schools that flouted the directive on the due date for resumption of schools.
“Some schools went ahead and resumed yesterday (Monday, September 16, 2024) against the directive that was given by the Ministry of Education.
“As the government is reforming the education sector, government thinks that it is necessary to ensure that a very strong regulatory environment is put in place to regulate the sector.
“Those principals who stepped out of line to reopen schools yesterday may be sanctioned,” the Commissioner said, adding that government wants to ensure harmony in the school calendar.
He equally disclosed that the Committee on the Recovery of School Lands has observed that apart from private individuals, religious organizations, communities and market associations were part of those that took over public lands illegally, adding that the Committee was not relenting in the task to recover all such encumbered parcels of land.
The Commissioner equally revealed that Abia State Government would be hosting a delegation of South East Council of Traditional Rulers on the 24th of this month, noting that the influx of investors, professional associations and other relevant groups to the state attests to the leadership qualities of Governor Alex Otti who has continued to make waves with the achievements of his administration after barely 14 months in office.
