Sit-at-home fallout: Anambra suspends nine headteachers over empty classrooms

By Goli Innocent

The Anambra State Government has suspended the headteachers of nine state-owned schools for two weeks after reports of extremely low pupil attendance on Monday.

The announcement came from Dr Vera Nwadinobi, Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, during an assessment visit to monitor compliance with the state’s Executive Order banning school closures on Mondays over sit-at-home directives.

Nwadinobi said some schools had no pupils at all, while others had only two to five students present. The nine schools affected are:

Union Primary School, Ukpo – 3 pupils

Walter Eze Secondary School, Ukpo – 0 pupils

Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu – 5 pupils

Hilltop Primary School, Ifitedunu – 3 pupils

Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete – 0 pupils

Uzubi Primary School, Eziowelle – 2 pupils

Union Primary School, Eziowelle – 3 pupils

Umunebo Primary School, Nteje – 0 pupils

Central School, Atani – 0 pupils

“Following these findings, Governor Charles Soludo approved the suspension of the headteachers for two weeks,” Nwadinobi said. She added that the suspended headteachers must hand over to the next most senior officers to ensure uninterrupted school administration.

The action, she said, reflects the government’s zero tolerance for negligence and commitment to restoring discipline and full academic engagement in public schools.

The Executive Order, first reported on January 24, threatened teachers and non-teaching staff with salary deductions of 20 per cent or full forfeiture if they fail to comply.