Free Education Policy: Anambra Govt Takes Over Primary School

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Government has officially taken over Central Primary School, Awa in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, marking another milestone in the Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) Initiative.

Built in 2024 and commissioned in January 2025 by the Awa community, the school was established to fill the gap left when the previous administration returned two primary schools in the area to mission authorities.

The government’s takeover now ensures the integration of the school into the state’s education system, allowing local children to benefit from the free education policy.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the school premises in Awa, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma Udeh, who represented Governor Chukwuma Soludo, commended the Awa community for its foresight in establishing the school.

She emphasized that the initiative aligns with the governor’s vision to provide quality education and development across the state, citing infrastructure projects such as the Amansea-Orumba road network as further evidence of this commitment to developing the state.

“The establishment of this school is in line with Mr. Governor’s resolve to place education at the doorstep of every child in Anambra. His midas touch is visible in every sector, and this school is yet another testament to his passion for development,” Prof.Chuma-Udeh stated.

She urged the community to take advantage of the government’s initiative to support communities without public schools by constructing at least a two coach perimeter fence which the state would then complete under the PPCP initiative.

In her remarks, the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, reaffirmed Governor Soludo’s commitment to improving education in the state.

She acknowledged that the return of some schools to mission authorities had reduced the number of public primary schools, leaving some communities without access to government-funded education.

However, she assured that the administration is working to bridge this gap by ensuring every community has at least one public primary school.

The President-General of the Awa Development Union, Chief Raymond Ofor described the government’s takeover as a new beginning for the children of Awa.

He noted that the move would provide a solid foundation for young learners and enable them to fully benefit from the free education policy.

The highlight of the event was the official handover of school ownership documents from the Awa Development Union to the Commissioner for Education, sealing the integration of Central Primary School, Awa, into the state’s public education system.