The Abia state government says all students will receive free education up to secondary school level, starting from January 2025.

The policy aligns with the 2006 Abia State Child Rights Law and reaffirms the government’s commitment to providing universal access to basic education.

Okey Kanu, the commissioner for information and culture, said the policy aims to eliminate financial barriers to education for children in Abia state.

He said beginning January 2025, parents and guardians who fail to send their children or wards to school will face legal consequences.

Kanu emphasised that non-compliance with the education directive will be treated as a punishable offence.

“There is no reason whatsoever why parents should not send their children to school,” he said.

“The issue of indigency is no longer the reason for non acquisition of free and basic education in Abia State.

“As from the 1st of January 2025, when this policy will come into full effect, parents who default would be prosecuted under that law. This course is part of the reforms that are ongoing in the educational sector.”

The commissioner also highlighted the ongoing educational reforms in the state, which include efforts to improve infrastructure and support for workers.

He added the government remains committed to the relocation order of Abia State University’s Umuahia campus to Uturu.
Kanu said the government will engage with affected stakeholders to address any concerns raised.

Keystone Bank Limited has commended Governor Lawal’s giant strides in human capital development in Zamfara State.

The bank’s Managing Director, Hassan Imam, led top management officials on a courtesy visit to the governor on Saturday at the Government House in Gusau.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the bank is renovating Sarkin Kudu Primary School and Sambo Secondary School, all in the state capital, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

While addressing the bank’s management, Governor Lawal praised Keystone’s efforts and committed to making Zamfara State a favorable environment for all businesses.

“It is well known that we inherited a highly dysfunctional system in Zamfara State. However, this does not serve as an excuse for failing to perform.

Instead, we are focused on finding the best ways to advance the state, and that is precisely what we are doing.

“Education is essential to everything we do in life today. It forms the backbone of a better society. In my administration, education is the second priority after security.

“I want to express my gratitude for this gesture. As I mentioned, this intervention will go down in history as a testament to your bank’s role in our success story.

“Insha’Allah, Zamfara will become an even greater state. I am committed to ensuring that we compete with other states in Nigeria in every aspect.

“I look forward to commissioning these schools shortly upon their completion. Thank you very much for this intervention.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Keystone Bank, Hassan Imam, disclosed that the management deliberated on the intervention area before deciding to focus on the complete renovation and overhaul of schools as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

“What you have achieved in just 17 months has surpassed what others have accomplished in over 20 years.

You have excelled in education, health, and infrastructure. I don’t have enough time to list everything you have done for Zamfara State, but anyone visiting will witness the multi-billion-dollar construction of the metropolitan road.

“We are here to support you because we recognize the hard work you’re putting in. After much discussion, we decided to focus on education and chose two primary and secondary schools.

We are conducting a complete renovation and overhaul of Sarkin Kudu Primary School and Sambo Secondary School, located in the state capital.

“As we speak, the contractors are already on site, and the work has commenced,” he said.

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor
November 09, 2024

University fees in the UK are set to increase in 2025, breaking an eight-year cap on the rates for domestic students.

Fees for domestic undergraduate students have been capped at £9,250 per year in the United Kingdom since 2017.

The UK’s department for education says the cap for full-time student fees will now go up by £285, putting the max payable fee at £9,535.

It said the maximum cap for part-time student fees will go up by £210 making the yearly maximum fee limit cost £7,145.

The maximum cap for accelerated student fees is also set to go up by £340 making the yearly maximum fee limit cost £11,440.

The inflation-linked increase, set to take effect in October 2025, was approved by ministers after warnings of a deepening financial crisis in the UK’s university sector.

Bridget Phillipson, the secretary of state for education, said the UK government will implement a parallel increase to student maintenance loans by providing up to £414 extra for the 2025/2026 academic year.

She said this will serve to support students from the lowest-income families.

Addressing members of parliament, Phillipson echoed that significant financial concerns have resulted from frozen domestic tuition fees.

“Universities have suffered a significant real-time decline in their income,” the minister of state said.

“Increasing the fee cap has not been an easy decision, but I want to be crystal clear that this will not cost graduates more each month as they start to repay their loans.

“Universities are responsible for managing their finances and must act to remain sustainable. But members across this house will agree that it is no use keeping tuition fees down for future students if the universities are not there for them to attend.”

Lately, foreign nationals have been on the receiving end of some policy changes that have also impacted the finances of UK universities.

In September 2024, the amount a foreign national must show as “proof of funds” to study in the UK was increased.

Foreign nationals have also been banned from bringing family members to live with them while they study in the UK.