The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday announced the release of N7.5 billion for the renovation of all the government owned Secondary and Primary Schools in the State.
He stated that his administration has already rebuilt all premier schools in Owerri, the state capital and environs.
Okorocha who made the disclosure during the Unveiling and Distribution of new school bags for all the Students and Pupils in the government owned schools at the Heroes Square, noted that the project of renovating the schools would commence immediately and must be completed before he leaves office on May 29.
It will be recalled that at the inception of the Free Education Programme in the state, the governor gave the students and pupils free sandals, desks, uniforms, bags and also employed over four thousand teachers.
According to the governor, “I have just come to dramatize our love for education. Education is our number one industry and the best gift you can give to a child is education. And today we can see that the free education has done well in Imo State. The programme can be adjudged successful from all indications. I am grateful to all the teachers for keeping the flag of free education flying.”
He added “But let me say to all of you that you may recall that seven years ago when I was elected your governor, my first pronouncement was that let education be free so that the children of the less privileged can go to school. I started with that by giving free education, and also giving stipends, uniforms, sandals, desks, chairs etc.
“Today as I exit in a very short time as your governor I want to conclude with education. All those who have played a very vital role in keeping this light on, I salute you and I commend all of you. As I speak now, I want to announce to you that my parting gift to the people of Imo State in the Education Sector is the immediate release of N7.5billion for the renovation of all the secondary and primary schools in Imo State”.
The governor continued that, “in addition, I will release immediately the sum of N1million for the children in each of the primary and secondary schools in the State for their pocket money. Every child in Primary and Secondary Schools must also get the new bag already being distributed.
“For those of you who have done well in their schools, the best overall student in every School will have a letter from the governor plus N10,000. And the best in Primary School in all the Schools will also get the sum of N10,000. Your teachers who have been teaching you, making sacrifices and making sure you are educated, I hereby approve N10,000 for each of the teachers in both Secondary and Primary Schools of Imo State.
“For those students that have the power of communication and oratory, they will have automatic tickets to the United States of America on holidays. I do this in Rochas Foundation Colleges every year where the best students go to America for holidays. I want to introduce it to Imo State before I leave. So the first set of best students will have to travel before I leave office”.
