Anambra Sacks Heads Of Schools Over Extortion Illegal Fees

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State authorities on Wednesday December 4, 2024, announced the sack of no fewer than 12 Head Teachers of public schools in the State from their positions over alleged imposition of illegal fees and levies.

This is just as they warned Heads of public educational institutions in the state against undermining the free education policy of the present administration.

Dr Vera Nkiku Nwadinobi, the Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education ASUBEB, who disclosed this expressed regrets that some heads of public schools have been found to be  extorting pupils and students through the  imposition of sundry fees and levies against the free education policy thrust of the state Government.

The Source reports that Governor Charles Soludo had, a few months ago, declared free primary and Secondary education in  Anambra states .

The Governor had also approved a monthly sum of N 50,000 for each of the schools for maintenance purposes and general administration.

However, at an interactive session with the media at the ASUBEB headquarters in Awka, the State Capital, Dr Nwadinobi informed that some Head Teachers have been arrested for allegedly imposing and collecting illegal fees and levies.

” Iam compelled to address you today sequel to the disturbing incidents currently happening in some of our primary and junior secondary schools in Anambra state.

“All of you are probably aware that recently, the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, introduced free and compulsory education policy in the State.

“The idea is to ensure that no child of school age is deprived of the opportunity and benefits of basic education.

“To ensure a seamless transition from the past ,the State Government immediately commenced the payments of imprest and running costs of an extra N50,000 to School

Heads for the smooth running of schools and the provision of requisite teaching tools such as markers, chalk, exam fees and portals if any”, Nwadinobi stated .

“But despite all the incentives, including the introduction of N 1,500  per pupil in all public schools to cover all levies, the ASUBEB boss, regretted that some Head Teachers are still extorting parents and imposing all manners of fees and levies.”

According to her the headteachers, were discovered to be still collecting PTA levies, exam fees and others despite their prohibition by the Government.

Dr Nwadinobi further lamented that with all the incentives and commitments shown by the State Government in improving and making education accessible to all children of school age, including the employment of 3,115 new new teachers, in addition to the five thousand engaged in 2022, some Heads of Public Schools are bent on sabotaging Government’s efforts.

“Following these sad reports, the Board recently set up an investigation team to go round some public schools in the state to determine the extent to which parents and guardians are being extorted in the guise of payment of running costs by some unscrupulous school Heads.

“I must inform you that the reports we got from the investigation team are terribly alarming and disturbing ..

“For instance , in Awada Primary School, Obosi, it was gathered that the Head Teachers charged fees for extra lessons to all the pupils, ink-fillers for markers, blue pens and red pens .

“In the schools mentioned, the Head Teachers, allegedly, got the PTA to agree that every learner would be paying the sum of N200 for the cleaning of the school toilets.

“The N50,000 monthly running cost and imprest were supposed to cover this .

“Other items for which fees were allegedly paid include compiled questions and answers for verbal and quantitative subjects, certain novels, lesson fees, send forth for retiring or transferred teachers ,burial levy, common entrance examination fees above the official amount of N2,900, exam portal ,and passport photos which is against the directive of the Board .

“Other items for which fees were allegedly charged include forms for learners, scratch cards ,fees for marking attendance at PTA meetings and a certain sum for absenteeism.

“There were, also, fees charged for tissue papers and soaps among others. Consequently, the defaulting Head Teachers are mandated to refund all monies collected from learners, hand over to the next ranking officer and step down from their positions as headteachers”, the ASUBEB Executive Chairman stated .

She, however, warned that all future established cases of infractions, extortion and other sabotaging acts will be met with severe punishment, including outright  dismissal.

“Henceforth, we will not just demote ,but recommend outright dismissal from Service for any Head Teachers or Principals who go contrary to the free education policy” Dr Nwadinobi noted .