DEPUTY GOV. ENGR. EMETU REASSURES EDUCATION SECRETARIES OF GOVERNOR OTTI’S COMMITMENT TO REVAMPING BASIC EDUCATION IN ABIA

…as He Receives the Forum of Education Secretaries from the 17 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs)

The Deputy Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, on Wednesday received the Forum of Education Secretaries from the 17 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) at Government House, Umuahia, where he reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the present administration to strengthening basic education across the state.

During the meeting, the Deputy Governor described the engagement as apt and timely, stressing that the issues raised by the Forum align with the far-reaching reforms currently championed by the Dr. Alex Otti-led administration to enhance the quality of education and improve learning outcomes in public schools across Abia.

Responding to the concerns presented by the Education Secretaries, Engr. Emetu assured that local government areas experiencing shortages of teachers will receive priority attention in the ongoing second phase of the teachers’ recruitment exercise. He emphasized that the administration is determined to ensure a balanced distribution of manpower across all schools to eliminate staffing disparities and improve classroom efficiency.

In addressing mobility challenges that have hindered effective supervision and the distribution of instructional materials, the Deputy Governor announced that hilux vehicles equipped with cabins will be provided to the 17 LGEAs. This, he said, will significantly enhance field monitoring, logistical operations, and overall service delivery within the education sector.

On welfare matters, Engr. Emetu assured that concerns bordering on salaries, allowances, imprest, and the general wellbeing of Education Secretaries will receive due attention. He stated that all requests tabled by the Forum will be duly transmitted to the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, for further consideration and necessary action.

The Deputy Governor also urged the Education Secretaries to sensitize teaching and non-teaching staff within their respective LGAs to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), emphasizing the importance of civic responsibility in strengthening democratic processes.

He commended the Forum for their dedication to duty and reassured them that the administration remains committed to repositioning Abia’s education sector, strengthening institutional capacity, and creating a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

Earlier in his remarks, the Dean of the Forum of Education Secretaries, Hon. Kalu Chijioke Azuma, outlined several operational challenges confronting the LGEAs. These included insufficient teacher allocation during the recent recruitment exercise, inadequate mobility for supervision and distribution of educational materials, lack of clarity in the job description of Education Secretaries, and the need for an upward review of salaries, imprest, and overhead costs, among others.

The meeting ended with renewed optimism as the Forum expressed confidence in the administration’s readiness to address critical gaps and accelerate development within the education sector.