By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
Following reports on alleged sabotage of Governor Soludo’s free and compulsory education policy in Anambra State, some school heads have received the sledge hammer for collecting certain unauthorized fees from pupils.
Addressing a press conference at the ASUBEB headquarters, Awka the Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Awka, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi stated that Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR introduced a free and compulsory education policy in the state to ensure that no child of school going age is deprived of the opportunity and benefits of basic education.
She noted that she was compelled to address the press due to the disturbing incidents currently happening in some of the Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the State.
The policy, according to Dr. Nwadinobi, since its 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.
She added that to ensure a seamless transition from the past, the state government immediately commenced the payment of imprest and running costs of extra fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) to School Heads for the smooth running of schools and provision of requisite teaching tools, such as markers, exams fees and portals among others, pointing out that the state government has also come up with the payment of one thousand , five hundred Naira (N1500,00) per pupil in all the pure public schools so as to cover all manner of levies, while PTA levies was equally abolished with the employment of additional 3,115 teachers to the 5,000 teachers recruited in 2022.
She noted that following the reports from some schools, the Board had to set up an investigation team to visit 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”, Dr. Nwadinobi lamented.
“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”.
The defaulting Headteachers, include:
Mrs Okoye Uju from Awada Primary School 1;
Mrs Nwafor Eunice Nwanneka from Awada Primary School 2;
Mrs Nwakaku Patience Obioma from Awada Primary School 3;
Mrs Aniwetalu Elizabeth Ekene from Awada Primary School 4;
Mrs Odionu Gloria Nkolika from Awada Primary School 5; Mrs Muluako Augustine Chinwe from Awada Primary School 6. These Headteachers according to the ASUBEB boss are mandated to refund all monies collected from learners, hand over to the next ranking officer and step down from their positions as Headteachers.
She added that 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, stressing that 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.
She urged all to join hands with the Board and the state government to fight corruption not only in our public schools but also in the entire education system in Anambra to make Anambra State truly the Light of the Nation.
In a vote of thanks, the Board Secretary, Lady Loveline Mgbemena commended the Executive Chairman for her prompt response to the alleged misconduct of the School Heads, and appreciated the members of the press for honouring their invitation.
Questions and answers featured during the press conference.
