Okorocha cancels free education for non-Imo indigenes

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday announced the cancellation of the free education policy extended to non-indigenes of the state studying in its tertiary institutions.

Okorocha, who announced the cancellation during an interactive session with journalists in Owerri, said the policy for Imo indigenes would still continue from primary to tertiary levels.

“The removal of the non-Imo children studying in tertiary institutions in Imo from the free education policy was due to the refusal of governors of other states to equally extend same gesture to Imo indigenes in their states,’’ he said.

According to the governor, other non-indigenes studying at primary and secondary levels would continue to enjoy the free education programme.

The governor, who commended the commitment of the teachers to the success in the education sector, said that the state was experiencing an increase in school enrolment.

“Before we introduced the free education policy in 2011, school enrolment for primary and secondary stood at 300,000 but today, the enrolment has gone up to more than 800,000 with successes in external examinations,’’ he said.

The governor said that the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with some foreign firms for the establishment of an industrial park in the Ohaji/Egbema area.

He said that the project would serve as an economic springboard for the state, adding: “This is part of the government’s projection to survive the fall in oil revenue.’’

On the concession of some government-owned agencies, Okorocha explained that the idea was to lay off ineffective, corrupt and indolent workers who were not adding value to the system.

He said that the state government would soon publish the list of culpable workers for immediate penalty.