Anambra Demotes Two School Principals Over Illegal Levies

The Anambra State Government has demoted two secondary school principals over alleged collection of illegal levies from students in violation of the state’s free education policy.

The affected principals are Mrs. Cecilia Okeke of Community Secondary School, Awkuzu, in Oyi Local Government Area, and Mrs. Patricia Ezeabiakwa of Community Secondary School, Igbakwu, in Ayamelum Local Government Area. They were accused of collecting between N10,000 and N40,000 from newly admitted students and others.

The Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, disclosed the development to journalists in Awka on Saturday. She said the infractions were uncovered during an unscheduled visit to the schools on Thursday.

According to Ikediugwu, the principals have been directed to step aside from their positions, with their Vice Principals (Administration) taking over immediately. She said the actions of the principals violated Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s free education policy.

Ikediugwu stated that the demoted principals were ordered to refund all monies collected from students within seven days and submit evidence of the refunds to the commission’s headquarters in Awka. She added that teachers involved in the illegal collections have been summoned to appear at the PPSSC headquarters on Monday, December 15, to receive query letters and face further disciplinary measures, which may include suspension.

She warned that the Soludo administration has made education free from nursery to secondary school in public institutions and that any principal or teacher who undermines the policy would be treated as a saboteur.

Ikediugwu also announced that the commission has constituted a dedicated monitoring team to carry out continuous surprise inspections of public schools across the state from the next academic term.

Governor Soludo had earlier announced free and compulsory education from nursery to junior secondary level in public schools, and later extended the policy to senior secondary education. He said the initiative was aimed at expanding access to education and supporting the full development of children’s abilities.