Soludo Declares Free Education In Anambra Public Schools

Despite the criticism and opposition from political rivals, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the less privileged in the state. During a meeting with headteachers and school principals at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, Governor Soludo announced a major educational reform: all pupils in public schools, from nursery to senior secondary level, will now receive free, high-quality education to secure their future.

Soludo further announced that parents who had already paid school fees for the current term would be refunded, stating that all students in government schools are now on scholarships. According to the governor, every child deserves access to quality and functional education.

“We are putting money back into the pockets of the people,” Soludo said. “Even those who have paid school fees will get their money back next week. Our goal is to ensure that children in all public schools receive a free, qualitative education from nursery to senior secondary school. This is the Anambra we are building.”

Education Commissioner Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh praised the initiative as unprecedented in the state, highlighting that this is the first time a governor has introduced free education from pre-primary to senior secondary levels. She commended Soludo for his efforts to provide accessible education for every child, regardless of their background, and noted that the governor has also employed over 8,000 teachers to ensure that all schools are adequately staffed.

Chuma-Udeh also warned that any school principal or teacher found violating the new free education policy would face disciplinary action.

Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke, Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Education, also praised the initiative. He noted that Soludo had previously declared free education up to JSS3 but expanded it to SSS3 out of his commitment to providing quality education for all. The Committee will ensure the policy is fully implemented.

Barr. Titus Nnabuike Akpudo, National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), hailed Soludo’s education reforms as a significant investment in the future of the state’s children. He added that town unions would work to raise awareness about the new policy and encourage children from all 179 communities in the state to take advantage of this opportunity.

Additionally, Akpudo suggested that basic education should be a requirement for anyone aspiring to leadership positions at the local level, given that education is now completely free in Anambra. He also praised Soludo for his commitment to workers, announcing that the governor will begin paying the new minimum wage from October.

Mrs. Ngozi Ezeonyima, Principal of Community Secondary School Iyiowa-Odekpe, expressed joy at the governor’s announcement, noting that children from low-income families would now have equal access to education. She also confirmed that teachers had already received their September salaries and looked forward to the new minimum wage payments starting in October.