The Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, has warned headteachers in all government and public schools to stop sabotaging Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s free education policy in the state.
Dr Nwadinobi issued the warning while briefing journalists at the ASUBEB boardroom in Awka on Wednesday.
This followed reports of some headteachers being apprehended for illegally collecting fees and levies from students, despite the government’s prior warnings.
According to her, “I am compelled to address you today sequel to the disturbing incidents currently happening in some of our primary and junior secondary schools in Anambra State.”
She continued, “All of you are probably aware that recently, the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, 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.”
Dr. Nwadinobi highlighted that since the policy’s implementation, there has been smooth progress, leading to increased enrolment in public schools and the elimination of the out-of-school syndrome. She noted that many indigent parents and guardians have expressed relief as the financial burden of school fees and other associated costs has been significantly reduced.
“To ensure a seamless transition from the past, the state government immediately commenced the payment of imprest and running costs of an extra 50,000 naira to school heads for the smooth running of schools and the provision of requisite teaching tools, such as markers, chalks, exam fees, and portals if any,” she explained.
Furthermore, she said the state government had introduced the payment of 1,500 naira per pupil in all public schools to cover various levies. PTA levies were abolished, and 3,115 new teachers were employed, adding to the 5,000 teachers recruited in 2022.
However, Dr. Nwadinobi expressed concern over reports indicating that some school heads are undermining the government’s efforts by imposing unauthorised fees. “Following these reports, the board recently set up an investigation team to go around 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,” she said.
“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 lessons to all the pupils, ink fillers for markers, blue pens, and red pens. In the schools mentioned, the headteachers allegedly got the PTA to agree that every learner would be paying the sum of 200 Naira for the cleaning of the school toilets. The 50,000 monthly running cost and imprest were supposed to cover this.
“Other items for which fees were allegedly paid include compiled questions and answers for verbal and quantitative subjects, certain novels, lesson fees, send-off for retiring or transferred teachers, burial levy, Common Entrance Exam fees above the officially 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 attendance at PTA meetings, and a certain sum for absenteeism. There were also fees charged for tissue papers and soaps, among others.
“Consequently, the defaulting headteachers, including:
Awada Primary School 1, Mrs. Okoye Uju;
Awada Primary School 2, Mrs. Nwafor Eunice Nwanneka;
Awada Primary School 3, Mrs. Nwakaku Patience Obioma;
Awada Primary School 4, Mrs. Aniwetalu Elizabeth Ekene;
Awada Primary School 5, Mrs. Odionu Gloria Nkolika;
Awada Primary School 6, Mrs. Muluako Augustine Chinwe,
are mandated to refund all monies collected from learners, hand over to the next-ranking officer, and step down from their positions as headteachers.
“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 of 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.”
The ASUBEB boss urged other Anambra residents to join hands with the board and the state government to fight corruption not only in the public schools but also in the entire education system in the state.
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