Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has introduced free education for all students in public primary and secondary schools across the state. The announcement was made during an interactive session with principals and head teachers at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre in Awka. The governor also ordered a refund of school fees to senior secondary students who had already paid for the current term.
Previously, Anambra had a policy of free education from kindergarten to Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3), but this new initiative now extends the policy to all public school students. Governor Soludo emphasized the importance of providing access to quality education for every child, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds, stating, “We now have truly free education in Anambra.”
Soludo highlighted the positive impact of the free education initiative, noting that enrolment in public schools has increased by 18%, and the number of out-of-school children has decreased by 2%. He also mentioned the state’s efforts to improve school infrastructure, including the deployment of over 2,000 teachers to mission schools and the installation of fibre optic cables to enhance technology in schools.
The governor acknowledged that there are still 77 communities in Anambra without public schools and assured the public that his administration is working to address this gap. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting teachers and ensuring continuous learning, underscoring that investing in education is key to securing the future of the state.
