Abia State Government says it has concluded plans to recruit 2,500 Teachers in the State for both Primary and Secondary Schools to enhance the Education Sector.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this to newsmen at the Government House Umuahia following the outcome of this Week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
The Commissioner stated that the recruitment of Teachers became necessary due to the shortfall in the number of teachers available in the State’s Primary and Secondary Schools.
“This of course is another pointer to how important the Education Sector is to the Governor.
“The modalities for this recruitment exercise would be made public very soon”, the Commissioner assured.
He disclosed that the State Government has introduced Mathematics Clinics for students in JSS3 and SS3, as part of its efforts to improve academic performance and realize the administration’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Policy.
According to the Commissioner , the Mathematics Sessions will hold every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00–7:45 am, with additional classes for Science Students scheduled between 2:00–4:00 pm on the same days.
“Mathematics we know is very basic to the realisation of the STEM subjects. STEM subjects involve Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics and Mathematics is the bedrock for the development of Science and Technology“, Prince Kanu explained.
The Commissioner also highlighted the State Government’s full implementation of the Out-of-School Policy with the inauguration of a team of School Marshals, comprising the Harmonized Task Force, Security Agencies and Judiciary among other Stakeholders in the Education Sector.
He said the Marshalls will patrol during school hours to identify school-aged children found loitering or hawking, leading them to their parents or guardians for questioning and possible sanctions.
Prince Kanu urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the Free Education Policy and ensure their children are enrolled in school.
The Commissioner announced plans by the State Government to commence the Abia Medical City Project, an initiative aimed at curbing Medical Tourism and establishing the State as a premier destination for quality healthcare services.
He said that once completed, the Abia Medical City Project, would provide World-Cass Medical services, and reverse the trend of residents seeking Healthcare outside the State and attract patients from across the country and beyond.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, revealed that in the first phase of the recruitment exercise, the State Government aims to employ 2,500 teachers.
Elder Ubochi noted that the mode of application, which would be conducted online, and would be made public by the end of the week.
He further explained that the School Marshals would play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with the Out-of-School Policy, stating that their duty includes escorting loitering children to their homes for follow-up actions with their parents or guardians.
The briefing which also featured updates from the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, and the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, had in attendance the SA to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Njoku Ukoha Njoku.
