NEWS
ABIA FLAGS OFF 2026 ANNUAL SCHOOL CENSUS AS GOV. OTTI’S EDUCATION REFORMS RECORD MAJOR BOOST WITH 140 ADULT LEARNING CENTRES, MASSIVE TEACHERS’ TRAINING ACROSS THE STATE
The Abia State Government has commenced the 2026 Annual School Census across the state as part of strategic efforts to strengthen educational planning, policy implementation, and expand access to quality education under the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR.
Prince Kanu disclosed that the 2026 Annual School Census has commenced across the state from Monday, May 11th, 2026.
“The exercise is designed to provide the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education with reliable data for planning, policy formulation, and full access into the Hope Education Intervention Grant,“ Prince Kanu said.
According to the Commissioner, the statewide exercise is expected to run for one month and will cover schools located across the three senatorial zones of Abia State. He explained that the census will generate accurate and comprehensive educational data needed to enhance effective decision-making, proper resource allocation, and improved monitoring of schools within the state’s education system.
The exercise is also expected to support the government’s broader educational transformation agenda by ensuring that relevant statistics and school records are available for strategic interventions and developmental programmes in the sector.
Prince Kanu further revealed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education has so far established 140 learning centres across the state aimed at providing educational opportunities for adults and individuals who were unable to acquire formal education earlier in life.
He noted that the initiative reflects the commitment of the present administration to inclusive education and lifelong learning, especially for vulnerable groups, out-of-school individuals, and adults seeking literacy and vocational knowledge to improve their standard of living.
In furtherance of Governor Alex Otti’s ongoing reforms in the education sector, Prince Kanu also disclosed that the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board recently organised intensive training and capacity-building programmes for 265 headteachers and 306 Early Childhood Care Development teachers across the state.
The training programmes, according to him, were specifically designed to strengthen effective school management, improve teaching methods, enhance leadership capacity within schools, and ultimately improve learning outcomes among pupils in public basic education institutions.
Observers say the latest developments further underscore the determination of the Alex Otti administration to reposition the education sector through data-driven planning, strategic investments, teacher development, and expanded access to learning opportunities for all categories of citi
zens in Abia State.