Anambra State Government will commence payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage in October 2024.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo announced at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center, Awka, while meeting with all principals and head teachers in public primary and secondary schools.
Governor Soludo also announced that starting next week, the free education policy will be available to senior students in all public schools in Anambra. He assured that even with the binding resource constraint, his administration will continue to work very hard to deliver on the mandate.
This is in addition to the ongoing free education policy for pupils from kindergarten to JSS 3.
The Governor equally directed that senior secondary students who have paid their school fees for the term should be refunded their monies.
He noted that his government has also posted over 2,000 teachers to mission schools to subsidize education. His administration hopes to guarantee that every child has access to free and qualitative education, especially for the poorest of the poor.
“Yes! we now have a truly free education in Anambra.
“There are no smart teachers without smart schools. We are gradually upscaling technology in our schools, with the current laying of over 2000 fiber optic cables.
“Because we declared truly free education from Nursery, primary, and JSS three pupils and students, public school enrollment increased by 18 percent and out-of-school children dropped by 2 percent, making Anambra the number one state with the lowest percentage of out-of-school children.
“Human capital is our greatest asset. We are working to create a human capital that is productive at home and exportable abroad, leaving no one behind as true progressives.
“With this latest initiative, we will be putting thousands of money back to the pockets of ndị Anambra,” the Governor stressed.
He equally disclosed that there are about 77 communities in Anambra without public schools, pointing out that his administration is working to address the concern and provide options for ụmụ Anambra. He assured that the resources for continuous learning by teachers will continue to be provided.
On the new minimum wage, Governor Soludo assured that the Anambra State government will begin paying it in October 2024, revealing that the state will soon complete the payment of the arrears of pensions and gratuities that it inherited.
Noting that his government has achieved all these and many more without borrowing a dime, Soludo insisted that it is a major focus of his government to maintain fiscal sustainability.
