‘Free education will end domestic servant syndrome’

March 29, 2013 by Agency Reporter

   

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has said that with the qualitative free education policy in the state, the era of using its youths as stewards is over.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, he said, “If you visit any family and you are expecting to see a houseboy with the name Okon or Ekaette as a steward, you would be disappointed. Those days were the dark days where our young ones were victims of circumstances of poverty and lack of education.”

Akpabio continued that in keeping with the Universal Basic Education Law, “It is now a criminal offence for any parent to keep their children out of school.”

He added that the punishment would be more severe if such a child was found hawking when he or she was supposed to be in school.

He, however, stressed that more children are now in school.

“What led to the increment in pupil enrolment is the abolition of school fees and introduction of incentives in the form of subvention fees of N300 per secondary school pupil and N100 per primary school pupil per term. We also empower teachers and school administrators by taking care of basic needs like purchase of chalk, diesel as well as encouraging them to treat the pupils with love and respect.

“The system does not give room for hidden charges, no PTA levies. No parent will therefore be left with any excuse to breed uneducated children who are only fit to fill roles as domestic servants.”