Soludo suspends 4 Principals for rebelling against free education policy

The state Ministry of Education in Anambra has suspended FOUR secondary school principals for allegedly violating Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s new education policy, which abolishes fees in Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the state. The affected principals are from Washington Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha, Kenneth Dike Secondary School in Awka, New Era Secondary School in Onitsha, and Prince Memorial High School in Onitsha.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Education, Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced this sanction. The principals are accused of acting against the Soludo Solution policy on free education in the state.

Egwuonwu also mentioned that the Commissioner has formed a committee to investigate the actions of these principals. It was warned that if they are found guilty, they will be required to reimburse the amount they collected.

“The Commissioner expressed surprise that despite several announcements regarding the Solution Free Education policy by the Governor, the Principals are alleged to have violated the policy,” Egwuonwu stated.

Governor Soludo had recently declared during a visit to some schools in the state that, in accordance with the Solution Free Education policy, no child from early childhood education and development up to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) should be subjected to any fees. He further specified that students in Senior Secondary should not pay more than N5,000 for running costs, with the funds not being directed to the government’s treasury. This policy was further elaborated upon during a meeting with Principals and Head teachers in Awka on September 23rd.