Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has announced free and compulsory education from nursery to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in public schools in the state.

Mr Soludo announced the policy at Premier Primary School, Obosi, Idemili North Council Area, on Thursday.

He said no child from nursery to JSS 3 should be charged school fees or any other fees to acquire education in the state.

“Children of school age will no longer be deprived of access to quality education,” said Mr Soludo.

He declared, “Education from nursery to JSS is free and compulsory in the state.”

Mr Soludo said his administration was passionate about actualising an all-inclusive education,  adding that free and compulsory education will also enable children from poor backgrounds to have access to education. 

“The aim is to go back to the basics when education was used as the equaliser, such that children from poor and rich backgrounds will attend the same school and compete favourably.

“This will increase the access of children to basic education and to ensure the fullest development of personality, talents, mental and physical abilities of our children.

“We will not look kindly on anyone who fails to comply with the above pronouncement,” he said.

The governor said massive infrastructure development would start in all government-owned schools in the coming weeks.

According to him, the community schools will be upgraded to smart schools in line with the vision of imparting skillful and sustainable education.

Mr Soludo said machinery would be implemented to ensure the effective implementation of smart schools in the state. 

(NAN)