Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has taken practical steps to complete the renovation and rebuilding of about 1,300 primary school classroom blocks in the next one year. Already, the governor has embarked on completing the renovation and rebuilding of 520 primary school classroom blocks before the end of this year in the first phase arrangement to upgrade school infrastructure across the state. In the same vein, he directed the rehabilitation of secondary schools and granted free education to the physically challenged up to secondary schools.

Obiano announced this while inspecting ongoing building projects at Ezi-Awka Community Primary School, Awka, on Friday. He said that after the first phase, the next phase of the project would cover the remaining classroom blocks to bring the total number to 1,300. He explained that in addition to rebuilding the school blocks, the State Government was also upgrading other school infrastructure and providing instructional materials.

According to Obiano, “My administration is committed to promoting the welfare of pupils, students and teachers, in this regard I want to reassure you that teachers’ salary would be increased immediately the State’s internally-generated revenue improves.”

The governor also enjoined pupils of the school and students of Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School, Awka, Governor Obiano to study hard to attain their full potentials, stressing that education is a strong enabler of his development policies.

In their separate remarks, two of the students, Blessing Omori and Tochukwu Nwayotalu, appealed for government’s intervention on erosion threatening the school as well as provide source of regular water supply to the school.

At UNICEF Experimental Primary School, Ufuma, Obiano directed ASUBEB to provide a source of regular water supply to primary schools to enhance hygiene and sanitation. The governor who expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the projects said functional primary school education was fundamental nurturing and molding children.

Meanwhile, Governor Obiano has said that the State Government would soon commence another phase of intervention in rebuilding dilapidated secondary school structures across the state. Governor Obiano stated this while inspecting building projects in some secondary schools said the visit was to ascertain how the funds released by his predecessor for school project were judiciously utilised. He said that his administration targets at rebuilding and renovating remaining collapsed buildings in secondary schools to provide conducive learning environment for students.

At Girls High School, Agulu, he announced that government has started building perimeter fencing in 21 girls boarding schools and would extend the project to all the boarding schools in the state as part of measures to further strengthen security in schools and effective control of students and inculcation of discipline. The governor added that the schools would be provided with functional laboratories and libraries to encourage qualitative education. He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work delivered with the N30 million given to the school by the previous administration, assuring that more support would follow soon.

The member representing Anaocha in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ebele Ejiofor, thanked Obiano for ensuring continuity in transforming schools in the state.

At Community Secondary School, Oko, Obiano noted that the school used the N10 million financial support to build two new blocks of five classrooms. He promised that work would soon commence on another dilapidated building in continuation of the rebuilding process while government would also assist in landscaping and grassing of the school premises. Governor Obiano explained that the various programmes were aimed at encouraging students to maintain excellence in their performance, noting that for three years running, students from Anambra State have remained best in all external examinations.

In another development, Obiano announced free education for physically-challenged persons from primary to post-primary education. He made the announcement during an inspection visit to Basden Memorial School, Isulo, Orumba South Local Government Area, adding that the free education policy takes immediate effect. According to Obiano, “the welfare of persons with special needs would remain top priority throughout the lifespan of my administration.”

The governor said two more schools for the physically-challenged persons would be built in Anambra Central and Anambra North Senatorial Districts respectively to bring the total number to three to accommodate more pupils and students with special needs. He also explained that the schools will be equipped with necessary amenities and facilities that would enhance teaching and learning including solar light system, water, electric fan in dormitories and classrooms as well as instructional materials.

In his reaction, Chairman of Orumba South Local Government Area, Mr. John Onyeakpa, thanked the governor for the visit, stressing that he has continued to carry everybody along and give all segments of the society a sense of belonging.

Mr. Onyeakpa noted that within a short time in office, the governor has enthroned focused and people-oriented administration, assuring him of total support of the people of the area

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

Update news