By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has issued a stern warning to teachers and school heads who are sabotaging Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s free and compulsory education policy.
The board has threatened to sack any teacher or school head found guilty of extorting money from parents and guardians.
Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, disclosed this at a press briefing in her office on Wednesday.
She said some school heads have been introducing unauthorized fees, contrary to the state government’s policy.
Nwadinobi revealed that an investigation team discovered alarming cases of extortion in some public schools, including Awada Primary School 1-6, Obosi.
According to her, the investigation team found that headteachers in the affected schools were charging fees for extra lessons, ink fillers for markers, blue pens, and red pens.
Additionally, the headteachers allegedly got the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to agree that every learner would pay N200 for the cleaning of the school toilets, despite the state government’s provision of N50,000 monthly running cost and imprest to cover such expenses.
Other unauthorized fees discovered by the investigation team include fees for 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 N2,900, exam portal, and passport photos.
Consequently, the defaulting headteachers, including Mrs. Okoye Uju of Awada Primary School 1, Mrs. Nwafor Eunice Nwanneka of Awada Primary School 2, Mrs. Nwakaku Patience Obioma of Awada Primary School 3, Mrs. Aniwetalu Elizabeth Ekene of Awada Primary School 4, Mrs. Odionu Gloria Nkolika of Awada Primary School 5, and Mrs. Muluako Augustine Chinwe of Awada Primary School 6, have been mandated to refund all monies collected from learners, hand over to the next ranking officer, and step down from their positions.
Nwadinobi emphasized that the state government will no longer tolerate such irresponsible conduct and will recommend outright dismissal from service for any headteacher or principal who goes contrary to the free education policy.
She said the government has abolished PTA levies and employed 3,115 teachers to add to the 5,000 teachers recruited in 2022.
The Board has therefore enjoined the public to join hands with it and the state government to fight corruption in the education system.
The Board called on parents and guardians to report any school head or teacher who demands unauthorized fees to the appropriate authorities.
