Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced plans to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers as part of his administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s education system.
This new phase of recruitment will bring the total number of newly employed teachers in the state’s primary and secondary schools to 9,394.
The governor made this known during the June edition of his monthly media interaction titled “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians”, held at the Government House in Umuahia.
He explained that the first batch of 5,394 teachers, already engaged by the government, are currently undergoing orientation programs in Aba and Umuahia. Once the orientation is completed, these teachers will be deployed to various schools across the state.
Governor Otti emphasized that the second phase of recruitment will commence immediately after the orientation exercise. “We expect that the portal will be opened and applications will be received shortly,” he stated.
The governor said the recruitment drive was in response to the surge in student enrollment following the introduction of the state’s free and compulsory education policy earlier this year.
In January, the Abia State Government launched a policy that provides free and compulsory education for all pupils from Primary One through Junior Secondary School. The initiative ensures that every child living in Abia, regardless of their origin, has access to quality education at these levels.
Highlighting the rationale behind the policy, Otti stressed the importance of not only increasing access to education but also ensuring the presence of qualified teachers to sustain and enhance learning outcomes. “We are focused on preparing our schools for the next academic session and ensuring that they are adequately staffed with competent teachers,” he said.
In addition to staffing improvements, Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the learning environment. He revealed that 20 schools are currently undergoing transformation into smart schools, with work already in progress.
These smart schools, according to him, will be equipped with modern educational tools and infrastructure to enhance digital learning and innovation among students.
Beyond education, the governor also addressed ongoing reforms in the healthcare sector. He disclosed that his administration is in the final stages of renovating 200 primary healthcare centers across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state. Many of these facilities, he noted, are already equipped and ready for use.
“The kind of equipment you expect to see in advanced countries is what we are installing in our health centers. We will not open them until they are properly equipped and fit for service,” Otti affirmed.
Governor Otti further outlined progress in other sectors, including road infrastructure, public sanitation, and security. He called on citizens and residents of the state to support the government’s efforts in transforming Abia into a modern, functional, and prosperous state.
“We are building a New Abia, and this task requires the cooperation of everyone,” he concluded.
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