Anambra Commissioner Threatens to Sack Principals over Laxity in Students Disciplinary Enforcement

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State government has warned principals of public schools in the state to enforce discipline or risk removal from office.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua gave the warning during an impromptu monitoring visit to Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, and Community Secondary School, Okpuno, to assess compliance with examination standards in the ongoing NECO examinations.

He expressed concern over alleged laxity among teachers and students, and the growing trend of some public schools turning into “miracle centres.”

The commissioner decried level of rowdiness in Igwebuike Grammar School, saying students were loitering around instead of preparing for exams, while the school management appeared not to be in control.

“The school had no examination ambiance. Management must step up. Principals who cannot align with the vision of this administration will be relieved of their duties,” he warned.

While faulting condition of the examination hall, which he said was littered with debris and did not meet the required standard, Oguguo charged students to be mindful of their environment as it reflects their attitude toward cleanliness.

At Community Secondary School, Okpuno, the Commissioner observed that NECO papers had not commenced at the scheduled time due to the late arrival of supervisors, while students were also seen outside the school premises.

The Principal, Mrs. Osigwe, explained that those outside were JSS students who had completed their first paper and were waiting for the second.

She appealed to government for more classroom blocks to accommodate the increase in student population resulting from the free education policy.

According to her, Community Secondary School, Okpuno, is the only public secondary school in the area.

The Commissioner said the monitoring exercise was part of government’s strategy to curb examination malpractice and ensure accountability in schools.

“Government is out to curb examination malpractice. We will not allow our public schools to be turned into miracle centres. That orientation does not bode well for the future of our children.”

The Ministry of Education vowed to sustain unscheduled monitoring of schools during both internal and external examinations to protect the integrity of the system.