…education in Anambra is free from nursery to secondary school
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Anambra State Government has demoted the principals of Community Secondary School, Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area, and Community Secondary School, Igbakwu in Ayamelum LGA, over allegations of collecting illegal levies and other related misconduct.
The affected principals are Mrs Cecilia Okeke of Community Secondary School, Awkuzu, and Mrs Patricia Ezeabiakwa of Community Secondary School, Igbakwu. They were reportedly found to have collected between ₦10,000 and ₦40,000 from newly admitted and other students, in violation of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s free education policy.
The Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, disclosed this to journalists in Awka on Saturday, stating that the infractions were uncovered during an unscheduled inspection of the schools on Thursday.
According to Ikediugwu, the principals have been directed to step aside with immediate effect, while their respective Vice Principals (Administration) take over leadership of the schools.
She said, “The principals of Community Secondary School, Awkuzu in Oyi LGA, and Community Secondary School, Igbakwu in Ayamelum LGA, have been demoted for misconduct relating to the collection of illegal levies. Their actions violated the free education policy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and were discovered during a surprise visit to their schools.”
Ikediugwu added that the demoted principals have been ordered to refund all monies collected from students within seven days and submit evidence of the refunds to the PPSSC headquarters in Awka.
She further disclosed that teachers involved in the illegal collections have been summoned to the PPSSC headquarters on Monday, December 15, to receive queries and face further disciplinary measures, which may include suspension.
Reiterating the state government’s stance, Ikediugwu noted that education in Anambra is free from nursery to secondary school and warned that any principal or teacher who undermines the policy would be regarded as a saboteur and dealt with accordingly.
She also revealed that the PPSSC has constituted a special monitoring team to conduct continuous surprise inspections of schools across the state beginning next term.
It would be recalled that on September 24, 2024, Governor Soludo announced free education for senior secondary school students in public schools across the state. He also reaffirmed the policy of free and compulsory education from nursery to junior secondary level in public schools.
The governor made the announcement in Awka during a meeting with principals and head teachers of public primary and secondary schools, noting that senior secondary students in public schools would pay only ₦5,000 as tuition. According to him, the policy is aimed at expanding access to education and promoting the overall development of children’s talents and abilities.
