The Anambra State government has demoted two secondary school principals for allegedly collecting illegal levies from the students.
The principals, Mrs Okeke, of Community Secondary School, Awkuzu in Oyi LGA, and Mrs Ezeabiakwa, of Community Secondary School, Igbakwu, Ayamelum LGA, were caught collecting between N10,000 to N40,000 from newly admitted students and others for various purposes.
The Chairman, Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu, who disclosed this explained that the affected principals had been advised to step aside from their positions, while their Vice Principals (Administration) takeover with immediate effect.
Prof Ikediugwu explained that their conducts were in violation of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s free education policy, adding that the were discovered when their schools were visited.
She further explained that the demoted principals were asked to personally refund every kobo collected from the students within seven days, and submit proofs of refund to the headquarters of PPSSC, Awka.
According to her, the teachers involved in the acts were asked to appear at the PPSSC headquarters on Monday, December 15, to collect letters of query and await further disciplinary action, which could include suspension.
The PPSSC Chairman further stressed that Governor Soludo has made education free from Nursery to Secondary School, therefore, any principal or teacher who dares violate it would be declared saboteur and treated as such.
She also informed that the PPSSC has set up a dedicated monitoring team for continuous surprise visitations to schools across the state beginning next term.
