By Gwurld4026 
Parents Face Arrest for Children’s Truancy in Abia
The Abia State government has announced that, starting March 1, 2025, it will enforce compulsory school attendance by arresting children found on the streets during school hours and prosecuting their parents or guardians. This initiative aims to address truancy and reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state. The enforcement will be carried out by the Abia Education Marshals, a task force dedicated to ensuring compliance with school attendance policies.
This policy is in line with the Abia State Child’s Law of 2006, which mandates that all children receive basic education. The government has emphasized that education is free up to the junior secondary school level, removing financial barriers that might prevent children from attending school. Parents and guardians are urged to take advantage of this opportunity, as failure to do so will result in legal consequences.
Governor Alex Otti highlighted that the introduction of free education has led to a significant increase in school enrollment since January 2025. He noted that while the government initially considered enforcing attendance through arrests, the surge in enrollment has made such measures less necessary. However, the recent announcement indicates a renewed commitment to ensuring all children attend school.
The Abia State government remains dedicated to transforming its educational sector through initiatives like “AbiaFIRST” (Fostering Innovation and Reform for School Transformation). This program aims to revitalize schools and improve the quality of education, ensuring that every child in the state has access to learning opportunities.