By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Anambra State Government has taken disciplinary action against nine headteachers and principals, citing sustained low student attendance despite the government’s directive abolishing the Monday sit-at-home practice.
The suspension follows the enforcement of an Executive Order issued during the State Executive Council Retreat held on January 21, 2026. According to the government, the affected schools recorded persistently poor attendance on Mondays, suggesting that the sit-at-home order is still being observed in those institutions.
The two-week suspension, which could lead to dismissal if the situation persists, affects the heads of the following government-owned schools: Union Primary School, Ukpo; Walter Eze Secondary School, Ukpo; Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu; Hilltop Primary School, Ifitedunu; Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete; Unubi Primary School, Eziowelle; Union Primary School, Eziowelle; Umunebo Primary School, Nteje; and Central School, Atani. These schools are spread across various local government areas of the State.
The disciplinary action was announced on Monday, February 9, during a monitoring visit conducted by the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi. She led board members on an inspection tour to assess compliance with the State government’s directive prohibiting Monday school closures.
During the visit, the board observed alarming levels of absenteeism among pupils and students, even though some teachers were present in the schools. In certain schools, classrooms were completely empty, while others recorded as few as two to five pupils in attendance.
At Union Primary School, Ukpo, only three pupils were present, while Walter Eze Secondary School in the same town had no students in attendance. Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu, recorded five pupils, and Hilltop Primary School had just three. Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete, had no pupils, while Uzubi Primary School, Eziowelle, recorded two. Union Primary School, Eziowelle, had three pupils. No pupils were found at Umunebo Primary School, Nteje, and Central School, Atani, at the time of inspection.
Expressing concern over the development, Dr. Nwadinobi stated that the monitoring exercise was part of the government’s effort to ensure full compliance with the Executive Order abolishing sit-at-home related school closures. She emphasized that continued low turnout undermines the State’s efforts to restore normal academic activities and maintain discipline within the public education system.
Following the inspection, the affected school heads were directed to hand over their duties to the next most senior officers in their respective schools to ensure uninterrupted administrative and academic operations.
The government reiterated its zero tolerance for negligence and warned that repeated infractions could attract stricter penalties, including outright dismissal from the civil service.
It would be recalled that in January 2026, the Anambra State Government formally abolished the closure of schools on Mondays due to sit-at-home. An official circular issued by ASUBEB also warned that teachers and non-teaching staff who fail to comply with the directive risk salary sanctions, including partial payment or forfeiture.
Meanwhile, the suspension has sparked mixed reactions among residents and social media users. While some have commended the government’s firm stance in enforcing discipline, others have criticized the move as unfair. Critics argue that the affected school heads and teachers were present and ready to work, and that compelling parents to send their children to school is beyond their authority.
As of the time of filing this report, ASUBEB had not responded to the criticisms or clarified why the school heads were sanctioned despite reportedly being present during the inspection.
