Establish Public Schools for Effective Free Education, Awka Residents Beg Soludo

Residents of Agu-Awka, a densely populated area within Anambra State's capital, are voicing their frustration over the glaring lack of public primary and secondary schools. This deficiency directly undermines the state government's laudable free education policy, leaving families in Agu-Awka with no choice but to patronize expensive private and mission schools. The situation is particularly galling given the area's strategic location, hosting key government facilities and numerous estates.

The plight of these residents highlights a critical gap in educational access. For years, families have been compelled to pay fees, a burden that is exacerbated by the daily cost of transporting children to schools in neighboring communities. This financial strain, coupled with the lack of accessible public education, means that the promise of free education remains an abstract concept for many in Agu-Awka, experienced only through media reports.

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We do not know what free education means because we only read about it in newspapers and social media. We pay school fees out of compulsion because there are no public schools here

Recent protests against a significant fee increase at a local church-owned school underscore the desperation of parents facing limited options. The absence of government-provided alternatives allows private institutions to impose arbitrary charges, exploiting the situation. Residents are calling on Governor Charles Soludo to intervene and establish public schools, arguing that the area's population and land mass justify the creation of multiple institutions.

The demand for public schools in Agu-Awka is not merely about convenience; it is about equitable access to education. The current situation deprives a significant portion of the state's population of a fundamental right, forcing them into financial hardship. The hope is that the state government will recognize this pressing need and take decisive action to ensure that the benefits of free education reach all citizens, regardless of their location within the capital city.

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It is sad that the entire Agu-Awka area, which is a political ward and has been the seat of government since 1991, does not have a public school.