Gives free education to physically challenged persons
Anambra State Gov­ernor, Chief Willie Obiano, has directed the renovation and rebuilding of about 1,300 pri­mary school classroom blocks in the next one year, with 520 of the school facilities sched­uled for completion before the end of this year. The blocks of classroom are part of the first phase of projects to upgrade school infrastructure across the state.
In the same vein, the gover­nor directed the rehabilitation of secondary schools and granted free education to the physically challenged up to secondary school.
Obiano announced this while inspecting ongoing building projects at Ezi-Awka Com­munity Primary School, Awka, at the weekend. After the first phase, the governor said, the next batch of projects would cover the remaining classroom blocks to bring the total number to 1,300. He explained that in addition to rebuilding the school blocks, the state government was upgrading other school in­frastructure and providing in­structional materials.
“My administration is com­mitted to promoting the welfare of pupils, students and teachers.
“In this regard, I want to re­assure you that teachers’ salary will be increased immediately the state’s internally-generated revenue improves,” he said.
The governor also enjoined students of Ezi-Awka Commu­nity Secondary School to study hard to attain their full potential, stressing that education was a strong enabler of his develop­ment policies.
In their separate remarks, two of the students, Blessing Omori and Tochukwu Nwayotalu ap­pealed for government’s inter­vention in the erosion threaten­ing the school. They also urged Obiano to provide a source of regular water supply to the school.
At UNICEF Experimen­tal Primary School, Ufuma, the governor directed Anam­bra State Universal Education Board (ASUBEB) to provide a source of regularly water supply to primary schools to enhance hygiene and sanitation.
The governor, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the projects, said func­tional primary school education was fundamental in nurturing and moulding children.
Meanwhile, Obiano said the state government would soon commence another phase of interventions in rebuilding di­lapidated secondary school structures across the state. The governor stated this while in­specting building projects in some secondary schools, ex­plaining that his visit was to ascertain how funds released by his predecessor in office for school projecst were judiciously utilized. He said his administra­tion was determined to rebuild and renovate other collapsed buildings in secondary schools to provide a conducive learning environment for students.
At Girls High School, Agulu, he announced that his govern­ment had started building pe­rimeter fence in 21 girls board­ing schools and would extend the project to all the boarding schools in the state as part of measures to further strengthen security in schools and ensure effective control of students and inculcation of discipline.
The governor added that the schools would be provided with functional laboratories and li­braries to encourage qualitative education. He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work delivered with the N30 million given to the school by the previous administration, as­suring that more support would follow soon.
Member representing Anao­cha in the state House of As­sembly, Ebele Ejiofor, thanked Obiano for ensuring continuity in transforming schools in the state. At Community Second­ary School, Oko, the governor noted that the school used its N10 million financial support to build two new blocks of five classrooms. He promised that work would soon commence on another dilapidated building in continuation of the rebuild­ing process, while government would also assist in landscap­ing and grassing of the school premises
Obiano explained that the various programmes were aimed at encouraging students to main­tain excellence in their perfor­mance, noting that for three years running, students from Anambra State had emerged tops in all external examina­tions.
In another development, the governor announced free educa­tion for physically challenged persons from primary to post-primary levels. He made the announcement during an inspec­tion visit to Basden Memorial School, Isulo, Orumba South Local Government Area, saying the free education policy was with immediate effect.
According to Obiano, “the welfare of persons with special needs would remain top priority throughout the lifespan of my administration.”
The governor said two more schools for physically chal­lenged persons would be built in Anambra Central and North senatorial districts respectively to bring the total number to three to accommodate more pupils and students with special needs.
He also explained that the schools would be equipped with necessary amenities and facili­ties that would enhance teach­ing and learning including solar light system, water and electric fans.

Obiano begins rebuilding of 1,300 schools