By Azubuike Jinanwa/Divine Nwankwo (Umuahia)
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has officially commissioned the first smart school in Abia State.
Speaking while commissioning the smart school facilitated by the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal Constituency, Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa at the Ofali Akwu Secondary School, Ohafia, Governor Otti said that his administration has rolled out free and compulsory education at the primary and Junior secondary levels, adding that he would consider extending the policy to the senior secondary level as soon as the state’s economy improves.
He urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the new policy to send their wards to school, warning that from January 2025, it will be a punishable offence for any parent or guardian whose ward is seen hawking goods on the streets during school hours.
“I hope the parents are taking note, we have given you people some months of grace. From January next year, if we see a child hawking during school hours, running errands and selling wares, we are going to pick up that child not because we want to arrest him but we will pick him up and he will take us to his or her parents”.
“We will exchange the child with the parents and we will lock the parents up”, Governor Otti warned.
The Governor while thanking Chief Okwara Osonwa for facilitating the project and seeing to its completion in record time, said that it would be replicated to serve as a standard in all public schools across the State.
He said that his unquenchable taste for quality education led to the allocation of 20% of the 2024 Budget to the education sector, assuring that 2025 fiscal year will not fall short of acceptable standard.
“Do not forget that for the first time, 20 percent of our budget was allocated to education and that was the 2024 budget”.
“In the next few hours, I will be sitting with the budget committee for the 2025 budget and already, I had given instruction before this meeting that whatever the total budgetary outlay is going to be for 2025, at a minimum, 20 percent of it must also go to education”, the Governor asserted.
In his address, the Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa described the project as a bold step towards transforming education in Abia State, adding that it aligns with the Governor’s vision in preparing Abia children for the demands of a technologically advanced world.
The Federal lawmaker disclosed that the facility replaced traditional chalkboards and marker boards with state-of-the-art, interactive digital screens equipped with cameras as well as digital screens that captures classroom activities and allow students to revisit lessons at any time, while also enabling remote participation for learners outside the school premises.
He emphasized the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, pointing out that his aim is to ensure that the children are equipped with the basics available globally to enable them compete confidently with their peers anywhere in the world.
The law maker said that the school’s teachers, from Nursery to Secondary levels have undergone comprehensive training to operate the new technology with over 70 trained educators expected to serve as trainers for others and expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders including Governor Otti for contributing to the initiative.
Speaking, the representative of the various development partners, Mr Olayomi Gbolahan said that they are happy to be part of history aimed at bringing the state in tune with the 21st century teaching and learning demands, adding that the school is equipped with full ICT facilities, 24 hours solar – powered, CCTV cameras and can be used for other purposes such as youth empowerment, women digital training and skills acquisition centre.
Responding on behalf of the benefitting school, Ofali Akwu Secondary School, Miss Blessing thanked Governor Otti’s administration and the facilitator Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa for the massive transformation and called for perimeter fencing of the School to safeguard lives and the facility.
The Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Kalu, Stakeholders from the development partners, the WOWBII Digital world, Traditional Rulers among others were present at the commissioning ceremony.
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