Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has introduced a policy of free and compulsory education from nursery to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in public schools across the state.
He made this announcement at Premier Primary School in Obosi, Idemili North Council Area.
Breaking News:
“No child in Anambra state is expected to pay any fee in all schools owned and managed by the Anambra state government, starting from Nursery, Primary 1 to JSS3.…”
— Governor @CCSoludo
Thursday, September 21, 2023.#AnambraStateNewMedia pic.twitter.com/K1FIBdxtpK— Anambra State New Media (@AnambraNewMedia) September 21, 2023
Soludo expressed his administration’s commitment to achieving inclusive education, emphasizing that no child within the school age range, from nursery to JSS 3, should be required to pay school fees or any other educational fees in the state.
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“The aim is to go back to the basics when education was used as the equalizer, such that children from poor and rich backgrounds will attend the same school and compete favorably.
“Children of school age will no longer be deprived of access to quality education. Education from nursery to JSS is free and compulsory in the state.
“This will increase the access of children to basic education and to ensure the fullest development of personality, talents, mental and physical abilities of our children.
“We will not look kindly on anyone who fails to comply with the above pronouncement,” he said.
Governor Charles Soludo also announced plans for significant infrastructure development in all government-owned schools in the state in the near future.
He mentioned that community schools would be transformed into “smart schools” to align with the goal of providing skillful and sustainable education.
Soludo assured that the necessary measures would be taken to ensure the effective implementation of smart schools throughout Anambra State.
Tackling the menace of out-of-school children
Soludo’s move is aimed at tackling the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which has grown to over 15 million, according to NMPI.
The Southeast accounts for 7.6% (390,000) of the total number of out-of-school children aged 6-16 years, with Anambra having a significant share.
The Southeast region has N12.2 billion in Universal Basic Education funds yet to be accessed. Out of this fund, N3.18 billion belongs to Anambra.
States must provide 50% matching funds to access the grant, which comes from the 2% of Nigeria’s Consolidated Revenue Fund designated for UBE.
Several other states in the country are yet to access the UBE grant.