By Pamela Eboh
Four principals in various Anambra State schools are currently facing suspension by the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo over alleged acts of sabotage.
The affected schools and principals include; Washington Memorial Grammar School Onitsha, Nkem Nkechi; Kenneth Dike Secondary School Awka, Onwurah Catherine; New Era Secondary School Onitsha, Dr. Cordelia Okonkwo; and, Amaka Ubaka of Prince Memorial High School Onitsha.
The statement of the sanction which was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, and made available by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Ministry of Education, Mr Nnaemeka Egwuonwu to journalists in Awka on Tuesday alleged that the principals acted in contravention of the Solution policy on free education in the State.
According to Mr Egwuonwu, the Commissioner constituted a committee to investigate the activities of the affected principals.
“She warned that if found culpable, the principals would be made to refund the amount collected.
“It is surprising that after series of announcements on the Solution Free Education policy by Mr Governor, the Principals could still be alleged to have flouted the policy.
“It would be recalled that Governor Soludo had during his visits to Premier Primary School Odume Obosi and Ado Girls Secondary School Onitsha, announced that in line with the Solution Free Education policy, no child from Early Childhood Education and Development up to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3), is required to pay any fee whatsoever.
“No student in the Senior Secondary should pay anything more than N5,000 only. The policy was further amplified by Mr. Governor in a meeting he had with Principals and Head teachers at the International Conference Center Awka on Saturday 23rd September, 2023,” the statement added.
