The Abia State Government has unveiled a series of developments in the education sector to prove its commitment to transforming education across all levels.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said in Umuahia on Tuesday that Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has secured full accreditation for law, mass communication, agriculture and educational management and planning.

Mr Kanu said, “This marks a major improvement since the administration inherited accreditation challenges, which were addressed promptly.’’

He also said that the government had approved the recruitment of academic staff and procurement of engineering equipment, worth ₦800 million for ABSU.

He said that the renovation of the ABSU male hostel, ordered after the governor’s visit to the school, was ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of May.

Mr Kanu expressed the government’s delight that academic performance at ABSU had also improved.

He said, “It is worthy to note that it’s not all about infrastructure in our tertiary institutions; the focus is also on the academic performance of the students.

“For instance, the results of the second National Institute of Science Laboratory Technology exams, Modular Practical Exams Phase 1, show that all the 164 students fielded by the school for the exam passed with a success rate of 100 per cent.

“All that means 164 of them that took the exam passed. For the Modular 2 of the same exam series, 158 students sat for the exam and 157 passed. And that indicates a success rate of 99 per cent.”

Mr Kanu said that workers at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, had been promoted for the first time since 2008, with full financial benefits approved.

He also said that the polytechnic had begun paying salary arrears to former staff members and launched an online clearance platform to ease administrative processes.

Mr Kanu further said that plans were underway at the institution to conduct a curriculum review introducing Artificial Intelligence and other emerging courses.

He said that a panel had been inaugurated to probe the activities of the recently suspended provost of Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, with construction work ongoing in the institution.

Mr Kanu said that the government also approved the recruitment of 5,300 new teachers under the first phase of the recent exercise.

He also confirmed that a new recruitment phase would begin soon, with the application portal opening in a few days time.

“All these steps reflect the government’s dedication to building a modern, inclusive, and academically sound education system in Abia,” Mr Kanu said. 

(NAN)