Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced plans to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers, bringing the total number of newly employed teachers in primary and secondary schools to 9,394.
Speaking during the June edition of his monthly media chat, “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” held Thursday night at the Government House in Umuahia, the governor explained that the move was in preparation for the next academic session, following increased enrolment across public schools.
He revealed that the initial batch of 5,394 teachers had already been recruited and were currently undergoing orientation in Aba and Umuahia.
“Once the orientation is concluded, they will be deployed to their respective schools,” he said.
Otti further disclosed that the portal for the next phase of recruitment would open shortly after the orientation programme concludes.
“We expect that the portal will be opened and applications will be received,” he stated.
The recruitment drive follows the government’s introduction of free and compulsory education in January for pupils from Primary One to Junior Secondary School, a policy designed to guarantee access to education for every child residing in Abia, irrespective of state of origin.
Emphasising the importance of building a strong education system, Otti said his administration was committed to not only recruiting qualified teachers but also renovating existing school infrastructure.
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“In addition to the renovation, we are converting 20 schools into smart schools and work is already ongoing,” he noted.
The governor also spoke on progress in the health sector, assuring residents that the renovation of 200 primary healthcare centres across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas would soon be completed.
“The kind of equipment you are expecting to see in the developed countries are already in Abia, and we are not opening them without equipping them properly,” he said.
He highlighted other achievements of his administration in areas such as security, road construction, and sanitation, and called on residents to support ongoing efforts to transform the state.
“Let us all join hands to build a New Abia,” Otti urged.
