Abia Schools Reopen Under Renewed Standards As Government Pushes Smart Schools And Teacher Recruitment
As schools across Abia State reopened on Monday, January 12, for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session, the Abia State government has rolled out a comprehensive monitoring exercise to ensure full compliance, quality teaching, and a conducive learning environment in both basic and secondary schools.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia.
According to him, education officers have been deployed across the state to monitor resumption, attendance, and adherence to academic standards, underscoring the administration’s zero-tolerance for laxity in the education sector.
Prince Kanu revealed that work on the state’s flagship Smart School projects is progressing steadily, with remarkable milestones already achieved in infrastructure development, equipment installation, and intensive training of teachers who will drive the initiative when the schools become fully operational.
He further announced a massive response to the ongoing teachers’ recruitment exercise, stating that a total of 28,213 applicants are currently competing for 4,000 teaching positions, a development he described as a testament to renewed confidence in the state’s education system.
In line with the government’s commitment to child safety, the Commissioner also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the inauguration of the Abia State Safe Schools Steering Committee, aimed at protecting students, teachers, and educational facilities against emerging security threats across the country.
The initiative, he said, reflects Governor Otti’s resolve to not only rebuild school infrastructure but also safeguard the future of Abia’s children through secure, technology-driven, and well-managed learning environments.
From Digital Governance to Free Bus Rides: Abia Tests the Future of Public Service and Transport
Abia State is steadily redefining governance through innovation, efficiency, and people-centred policies, as the State Government intensifies its drive toward digital operations and modern urban transportation.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced that the government has procured and distributed laptops to all senior government officials, marking a decisive step toward the full digitalisation of public service operations.
According to him, the move is designed to enhance efficiency, improve record-keeping, and promote faster, more transparent service delivery across all ministries, departments, and agencies of government.
In another major development, Prince Kanu provided insights into the state’s urban mass transit scheme, which officially commenced operations on December 24, 2025, and is currently running a pilot phase to test system efficiency, reliability, and public acceptance.
He explained that the pilot programme covers both inter- and intra-city routes, with buses operating between Umuahia and Aba, linking the state’s two major commercial centres.
Depending on passenger demand, between four and seventeen buses are deployed daily across key mobility corridors.
The response from residents, he noted, has been overwhelmingly positive. Over 31,500 passengers have already benefited from the free bus services, a figure Prince Kanu described as clear evidence of the urgent need for an organised, affordable, and reliable public transport system in Abia State.
He assured residents that the free rides will continue until the commencement of full commercial operations, allowing commuters to enjoy relief during the transition period while the government fine-tunes the system.
“These initiatives reflect a government that listens, plans, tests, and delivers always with the people in mind,” he said.
