Abia State Education Stakeholders Embrace Call for Positive Reform

Education stakeholders across Abia State have thrown their weight behind the ongoing reform efforts of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, following a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry at its Conference Hall on August 27, 2025.

The meeting brought together key actors in the education sector, including representatives from WAEC, NECO, ANCOPPS, NUT, PTA, AFED, NASU, STEM groups, faith-based organisations, local government education secretaries, publishers, supervisory councillors, and heads of relevant agencies and departments.

Addressing the gathering, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Chinedu Ubochi, reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to transforming the education sector. He emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the success of ongoing reforms.

Elder Ubochi dispelled rumours of a ₦54 billion allocation for school retrofitting, clarifying that 221 schools are currently undergoing renovation, with some scheduled for commissioning before schools reopen. He also revealed plans to equip schools with new furniture and establish standard libraries across all 184 political wards before the end of the year.

The Commissioner noted that construction and rehabilitation works are ongoing at 83 sites under the Ministry’s supervision, aside from those managed by ASUBEB. Over 70 schools have already received contract letters for renovation projects. He acknowledged the contributions of private school owners and alumni associations for supporting the government’s education reform drive led by Governor Alex Chioma Otti, who has allocated 20% of the state budget to the education sector.

Among the reform measures discussed was a directive for publishers to separate textbooks from workbooks and a warning against the practice of schools recommending multiple textbooks per subject. The Commissioner also highlighted the introduction of standardised assessments, including the Primary Six Leaving Assessment Test (PSLAT), compulsory BECE for JSS 3, and a mandatory SS2 examination before WAEC registration.

He reiterated the government’s policy on free and compulsory education from Primary to JSS 3 and warned that any child found hawking during school hours would prompt action from Education Marshals, who have been instructed to identify and sanction negligent parents.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, cautioned schools against imposing unapproved levies. He stressed that only Primary Six and SS3 pupils are recognised as official graduands and warned that defaulting schools would face sanctions.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry urged stakeholders to align fully with government directives to ensure that the state’s education vision is realised.