Anambra head teachers suspended over low students turn out

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - The Anambra State Government has suspended the headteachers of nine state-owned primary and secondary schools for two weeks following reports of extremely low student attendances on Monday, as some still observe sit-at-home. 

The suspension was announced by the chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nwadinobi, during an assessment visit to the affected schools aimed at monitoring compliance with the state’s directive against Monday school closures linked to illegal sit-at-home orders. 

Nwadinobi expressed disappointment after observing that while teachers were present in the schools, student turnout was either very poor or completely nonexistent. 

She said the monitoring exercise was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure full academic activities across public schools in the state. 

Findings from the visits showed that several schools had no pupils or students at all, while others recorded attendance figures of between two and five learners. 

At Union Primary School, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, only three pupils were present, while no student was found at Walter Eze Secondary School, Ukpo, in the same LGA. 

Similarly, Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu, had five pupils, Hilltop Primary School, Ifitedunu, had three, while Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete, recorded zero attendance. Uzubi Primary School, Eziowelle, had two pupils, Union Primary School, Eziowelle, had three, and no pupils were found at Umunebo Primary School, Nteje, in Oyi LGA, and Central School, Atani, in Ogbaru LGA. 

Speaking on the development, Nwadinobi said the governor had approved the immediate suspension of the headteachers of the affected schools. She added that the headteachers had been directed to hand over to the next most senior officers to ensure continuity of administration. 

According to her, the decision reflects the state government’s zero tolerance for negligence and its commitment to restoring discipline, accountability, and full academic engagement in public schools. 

The state government had earlier issued an Executive Order abolishing the closure of schools on Mondays due to sit-at-home actions. In a letter dated January 22, 2026, and signed by the ASUBEB Board Secretary, Loveline Mgbemena, teachers and non-tutorial staff were warned that failure to comply would attract a 20 per cent salary payment or total forfeiture.