Abia gives public schools a world-class makeover

Abia State government is redefining public basic education with a sweeping transformation of its school infrastructure into a modern American-standard facility, replacing outdated classrooms with modern, world-class learning facilities.

The initiative, aimed at creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, reflects the government’s commitment to raising educational standards and equipping students with the resources needed to thrive in a 21st-century learning environment.

According to Alex Onyia, the chief executive officer at Educare, a leading software company, on his official X handle @winexviv, Abia State has remodelled an existing public school into a modern American-standard facility, with 19 others currently under construction or transformation.

The government adjusted its approach after criticism of an initial smart school attempt, focusing on upgrading current structures rather than building new ones.

Alex Otti, the executive governor of Abia State, earlier in the year announced the allocation of N203.2 billion, which is 20 per cent of the state’s N1.016 trillion 2026 budget, to the education sector, describing the sector as the fulcrum of his administration.

Besides, he emphasised that his administration’s reforms cut across recruitment of qualified teachers through merit-based employment, renovation of hostels, among others.

“We had said clearly that education is the fulcrum of this administration, and the truth about it is that without education, we wouldn’t even be here,” he said.

Moreover, the governor accelerated the basic education programme as part of efforts to expand access to learning for adults and out-of-school residents in the state by compressing six years of primary education into three years.

The governor earlier had attempted to build smart schools, but later resolved to transform the already existing ones into American-standard facilities.

Some stakeholders described Otti’s approach to school development as a clear departure from the usual “pigeon-house” system.

Nwanneka Chimamanda Great @greatnwanneo said, “Aesthetically giving fresh air for children to study well.”