As schools resume today, Monday, January 12, 2026, across Abia State, a familiar sound fills the air once again, the laughter and energy of pupils eager to return to class. Yet unlike previous years, this resumption comes with something that parents and students had almost forgotten: confidence and assurance.
In the past, the approach of a new term stirred worry among parents, who dreaded the sudden spike in school fees just after the festive spending. Many households struggled to find money for textbooks, uniforms and levies, forcing some pupils to stay at home or return late into the first week of term. That anxiety was compounded by the condition of many public schools themselves, classrooms left unlocked and unmaintained over breaks became havens for theft, vandalism, or even shelter for the homeless and mentally ill. The first days of school often began with students cleaning up debris and overgrown compounds, rather than learning. These scenarios made resumption more of a burden than a celebration.
However, that era is now firmly behind us. Today, pupils walk into secured and revitalised schools, not abandoned or neglected structures. This positive change is the result of deliberate and strategic reforms introduced by Governor Alex Chioma Otti, whose administration has placed education squarely at the heart of governance.
Through the Abia FIRST initiative, free and compulsory basic education has been introduced, relieving parents of the financial strain that once kept many children out of classrooms. Consequently, enrollment has surged, and public schools are witnessing renewed trust from families across the state.
Moreover, to ensure that this influx of students receives quality instruction, the government embarked on a transparent and merit-based teacher recruitment drive, restoring professionalism to the classroom. With a second phase of recruitment currently ongoing, it is evident that Governor Otti’s administration understands that access to education must be matched by competent educators.
Equally transformative are the infrastructure improvements. Public schools across Abia have been retrofitted, renovated, and secured, ensuring pupils resume in environments that are safe, clean, and conducive to learning. The rollout of Smart Schools, equipped with modern learning tools and improved sanitation, further demonstrates a forward-looking approach, preparing students for the demands of the 21st century.
As classes begin today, the impact is clear: pupils are excited to learn, teachers are returning to work with renewed dignity, and parents are sending their children off with confidence in the system.
Indeed, this resumption is more than just a routine. It is a clear testament that when leadership is purposeful and systems are reformed with intention, public institutions can work effectively, restore confidence, and inspire renewed trust. Today, pupils return not just to classrooms, but to a promise kept, a fresh start for education in Abia under Governor Alex Otti.
