Sit-at-home: Anambra suspends nine headteachers over low pupil turnout

The Anambra State Government has suspended the headteachers of nine public schools for two weeks after an inspection found very low pupil and student attendance on Monday.

The Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nwadinobi, announced the suspensions during an assessment visit to the affected schools. The visit was part of ongoing monitoring to enforce the state’s Executive Order ending the closure of schools on Mondays linked to the sit-at-home directive.

Nwadinobi said she found classrooms largely empty in several schools despite teachers being present.

In some of the schools visited, no pupils or students were on the premises. In others, attendance ranged between two and five learners.

At Union Primary School, Ukpo, in Dunukofia Local Government Area, three pupils were present. Walter Eze Secondary School, also in Ukpo, had no students. Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu, recorded five pupils, while Hilltop Primary School, Ifitedunu, had three.

Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete, in Idemili North LGA, and Umunebo Primary School, Nteje, in Oyi LGA, had no pupils. Uzubi Primary School and Union Primary School, both in Eziowelle, Idemili North LGA, had two and three pupils respectively. Central School, Atani, in Ogbaru LGA, also had no pupils present.

Following the findings, Nwadinobi said the governor approved the immediate suspension of the affected headteachers. They have been directed to hand over to the most senior staff members in their schools to ensure continuity in administration.

She said the action reflects the government’s effort to enforce compliance and improve accountability in public schools.

On January 24, the state government issued an Executive Order prohibiting the closure of schools on Mondays due to sit-at-home. In a letter dated January 22 and signed by the ASUBEB Board Secretary, Loveline Mgbemena, the government warned that teachers and non-teaching staff who fail to comply risk salary deductions of up to 100 per cent.