Free Education: Anambra Govt Suspends Six Headteachers, Demotes 2 for Extorting Pupils

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State government has suspended six headteachers in various public schools across the state over illegal collections of fees and levies from parents and guardians of pupils.

Two headteachers in Awka North Council Area were also demoted from their positions and stepped down following negligence to duty and corrupt leadership.

Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nwadinobi who disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference, said the decision followed reports of the culprits’ sabotage of government’s efforts.

She listed the headteachers to include Mrs Okoye Uju of Awada Primary School, Mrs Nwafor Eunice Nwanneka of Awada Primary School and Mrs Nwakaku patience Obioma of Awada Primary School.

Others are Mrs Aniwetalu Elizabeth Ekene of Awada Primary School, Mrs Odionu Gloria Nkolika of Awada Primary School and Mrs Muluako Augustine Chinwe of Awada Primary School.

She mandated the culprits to refund all monies collected from learners, hand over to the next ranking officer and step down from their positions as Headteachers.

She vowed more stringent disciplinary measures for others who were unwilling to comply with government policy on free and compulsory education in the state.

She said, “I must state that I am compelled to address you today sequel to the disturbing incidents currently happening in some of our Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the State.

“All of you are probably aware that recently, the State Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, introduced a free and compulsory education policy in the state. The idea is to ensure that no child of school going age is deprived of the opportunity and benefits of basic education.

“This policy, since inception, has run smoothly in the state leading to increased and encouraging enrollment in the public schools and the elimination of out-of school syndrome. Most indigent parents and guardians have since heaved a sigh of relief as the burden of school fees and other sundry expenses placed on them have drastically reduced.

“To ensure a seamless transition from the past, the state government immediately commenced the payment of imprest and running costs of extra 50,000 to school heads for smooth running of schools and provision of requisite teaching tools, such as markers, chalks, exams fees and portals if any, etc.

“Also the state government has come up with the payment of 1500 per pupil in all the pure public schools so as to cover all manner of levies. PTA levies was abolished with the employment of 3115 teachers to add to the 5000 teachers recruited in 2022.

“Reports reaching us, however, indicate that some school heads in the state are sabotaging the efforts of the state government in this direction by introducing payment of certain unauthorized fees.

“Following these reports, the board recently set up an investigation team to go round some public schools in the state to determine the extent to which parents and guardians are being extorted in the guise of payment of running costs by some unscrupulous school heads.

“I must inform you that the reports we got from the investigation team are amazingly alarming and disturbing. For instance, in Awada Primary School 1-6, Obosi, it was gathered that the Headteachers charged fees for extra lesson to all the pupils, ink fillers for markers, blue pens and red pens.

“In the schools mentioned, the head teachers allegedly got the PTA to agree that every learner will be paying the sum of 200 Naira for the cleaning of the school toilets. The 50,000 monthly running cost and imprest was supposed to cover this.

“Other items for which fees were allegedly paid for include: compiled questions and answers for verbal and quantitative subjects, certain novels, lesson fees, send-forth for retiring or transferred teachers, burial levy, Common Entrance Exam fees above the official approved amount of 2,900 , Exam portal and passport photos which was against the directive of the board.

“Other items for which fees were allegedly charged include; forms for learners, scratch cards, fees for marking of present at PTA meetings and a certain sum for absenteeism. There were also fees charged for tissue papers and soaps among others.

“Last week, two Headteachers in Awka North LGA were demoted from their positions and stepped down by the Board as a result of their negligence to duty and corrupt leadership. Many more stringent disciplinary measures await others if they do not willingly comply with the policy of Mr. Governor on free and compulsory education in the state.

“Henceforth, we will not just demote but recommend outright dismissal from service for any headteacher or principal who goes contrary to the free education policy. We cannot continue to condone such irresponsible conduct by any teacher or school head to extort money from parents and guardians who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the free education and zero levies policy by the Solution Government in our dear state.”