Free Education for All: Soludo Declares Total Fee Abolition in Anambra Government Schools, Promises Education Overhaul

 

Anambra State Government Moves to End All Charges in Public Schools, Promises Infrastructure Upgrade

A bold new chapter has opened for public education in Anambra State as Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo officially abolished all forms of payments, fees, and levies in government-owned schools. The sweeping reform, which takes immediate effect, targets pupils from nursery through primary school and up to Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), effectively eliminating the financial burdens previously placed on parents in the state’s public education system.

Governor Soludo made this announcement during a visit to Premier Primary School in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, and Ado Girls Secondary School in Onitsha. The decision represents a significant pivot towards equitable access to education and the dismantling of unofficial fees that have long undermined the state’s policy of tuition-free schooling.

According to the Governor, although the government has maintained a policy of free tuition in the past, hidden charges and levies have continued to erode its effectiveness. These levies—ranging from development fees to examination charges and other unofficial payments—have created a two-tiered system in what should be a universally accessible public education sector.

Standing before pupils and staff, Governor Soludo declared:
“From today, as I make this pronouncement, no child in Anambra—whether in nursery, primary, or junior secondary school—is expected to pay anything. This is a constitutional responsibility that we are now boldly fulfilling.”

The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria mandates governments at all levels to strive toward the provision of free primary and secondary education "as soon as practicable." Soludo framed his administration’s action as a fulfillment of this directive, emphasizing that education is not a luxury, but a right and a societal equalizer.

The Governor issued a stern warning to teachers and administrators in public schools who may attempt to contravene the new directive. Any demand for money from pupils or their guardians, under any guise, will be treated as a serious violation and will attract strict sanctions.

What sets this move apart from prior education policies is the commitment not just to remove fees but to radically improve the quality of education in public institutions. Soludo acknowledged that government-run schools are currently the most under-resourced among the four school categories in the state. He promised that this would soon change.

“Among the four categories of schools in the state, government-run public schools are the least in terms of infrastructure and otherwise, but by this announcement, my administration will begin a massive revolution to bring public education to be a model in the education sector,” he said.

Plans are underway to initiate widespread infrastructural development across public schools. The administration is expected to roll out a detailed roadmap for this educational transformation in the coming days, focusing not only on physical infrastructure but also on learning resources and teacher training.

Governor Soludo articulated a vision where education serves as both a societal equalizer and a foundation for sustainable development. “Education is not just the future, it is the present. The big agenda is to mainstream education as the foundation for everything else,” he stated with emphasis.

By eliminating financial barriers and committing to raise standards, the Anambra State Government is taking a crucial step toward reshaping its educational landscape. Parents, educators, and pupils alike will be watching closely to see how these promises unfold in the weeks and months ahead.

This landmark initiative signals a renewed prioritization of education as a public good—accessible, equitable, and transformative.