By Pamela Eboh
Anambra State Government has banned the extension of classes in the state.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh made available to journalists in Awka on Monday.
According to the Commissioner, the ban is geared towards the adoption of the United Nations, UN, stipulations for schools to end daily academic activities by 2:30pm.
She said, “The adoption is in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo desire for school children to have adequate rest and interaction with their parents before the commencement of the next day’s activities”
She charged Heads of all schools in the state to ensure closure of all daily academic activities by 2:30pm to give room for the children to be home by 3pm.
Recall that the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor had before now expressed worry over long periods of time pupils spend in school, describing it as unhealthy to both the pupils and their parents.
The clerii who blamed teachers for the ugly development regreted that the current education system makes it almost impossible for pupils to spend quality time with their parents as teachers engaged them in lessons from 7am to 5pm.
He however enjoined government to moderate the schools academi c and extracurricular activities to enable pupils balance their studies with home training and other engagements.
