The member representing Ohafia South constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Kalu Mba Nwoke has urged parents and guardians in the constituency to key into the state’s compulsory free basic education policy.
Nwoke spoke to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia following the government’s commencement of arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians who failed to send their children or wards to school.
“I make the appeal because the government is very serious about education as a development tool and will leave to no stone unturned to enforce the policy,” the legislator said.
The House Committee chairman on Environment and Urban Renewal, used the forum to commend the governor, Alex Otti for the introduction of the policy, describing it as a milestone achievement.
The commissioner for information, Okey Kanu, had announced the policy last year while briefing the media after a state Executive Council meeting, chaired by Otti in the capital.
“In line with Abia State Child’s Law 2006, it will now be an offence for parents or guardians not to send their children or wards to school in the state.
“Education is free in Abia State up to junior secondary school level. There is no reason whatsoever parents or guardians will not send their children or wards to school,” he said.