Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has launched the AbiaFIRST Education Transformation Programme designed to drive sustainable transformation in the education sector for enhanced socio-economic development in the state.
Speaking at the event in Umuahia, on Wednesday, Otti said the initiative aimed at revitalising the education sector through strategic investments in infrastructure, teacher development, and curriculum enhancement.
The Governor said that education remains central to his administration’s development agenda.
He also said that the programme reflected the government’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven society that prioritises academic excellence.
“Education is no longer optional, it is a necessity for any society that seeks progress.
“It opens doors to endless opportunities, liberates people from ignorance and superstition, and lays the foundation for future generations”, Otti said.
He further said that the initiative would focus on upgrading school infrastructure to create conducive learning environments and training and retraining teachers to align with global best practices in education.
Otti also said that the programme would cover the recruitment of qualified educators to meet rising student enrollment, following the introduction of free and compulsory basic education.
He said that the initiative would be used to reform school curriculum to integrate emerging knowledge and essential skills for the modern world.
He opined that another key area that would address the programme included the enhancement of school security to ensure a safe and secure learning atmosphere.
He said that the gaps that developed in state’s education system stemmed from the failure of past administrations to give priority attention to the sector.
“We are going to take the lead by investing in infrastructure, hiring the best minds to teach our children, and ensuring competitive salaries for teachers.
“Our goal is to build a system that fosters diligence, innovation, and fair competition”, Otti said.
