Abia State government will recruit extra 4,000 teachers to measure up with the upsurge in the enrollment of pupils and students in the basic public schools in the State.
Governor Alex Otti disclosed this at the Government House, Umuahia, during a dinner his administration organized for former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
He attributed the increase in the number of pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in the State to the free and compulsory free education his administration introduced in January.
Otti, who said he came from a very poor family, said that he was passionate about child education, especially that of the poor ones, noting that his future was enhanced by the opportunity he got attending public schools.
“We want to hire another 4,000. Why am I passionate about this? I come from a very poor home and if I didn't have the opportunity to go to public schools, I won't be here with you today.
“The enrollment was mind boggling. Our people want to go to school. What we are now using the Taskforce to do is to move round the schools to ensure that the teachers are committed and dedicated to discharging their duties to make the free and compulsory education policy effective,” Gov. Otti stated.
He equally said principals and head teachers are receiving N100,000 monthly for basic things to run their schools.
Governor Otti used the occasion to thank Obasanjo for standing behind him from the inception of his aspiration to join politics till now.
