Anambra State Suspends Nine Headteachers Due to Low Student Attendance Amid Sit-at-Home Observance

The government of Anambra State has temporarily removed the headteachers of nine publicly funded primary and secondary educational institutions for a period of two weeks, following reports of significantly low attendance on Monday, as some students continued to observe a sit-at-home directive.

The announcement was made by Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, the chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), during a visit to evaluate compliance with the directive aimed at ensuring school operations despite illegal sit-at-home orders.

Dr. Nwadinobi expressed her dissatisfaction upon realizing that while the teaching staff were present, the number of students attending was either alarmingly low or entirely absent.

This monitoring initiative is part of the government's ongoing commitment to reestablish the normalcy of academic activities within all public schools throughout the state.

Reports from these assessments revealed that numerous schools had no students in attendance, with a few others tallying attendance figures of merely two to five learners.

At the Union Primary School located in Ukpo, under the Dunukofia Local Government Area, only three pupils attended, and Walter Eze Secondary School in the same area had no students present at all.

Likewise, Aguoji Primary School in Ifitedunu registered five pupils, while Hilltop Primary School in the same location had three attendees. Chukwurah Primary School in Abatete reported zero attendance, and Uzubi Primary School in Eziowelle had only two, in contrast to Union Primary School in Eziowelle which had three. Umunebo Primary School in Nteje and Central School in Atani experienced total absenteeism.

Commenting on the current situation, Nwadinobi stated that the governor had issued an order for the immediate suspension of the headteachers at the schools in question. The headteachers are required to transfer administrative responsibilities to the next most senior personnel to ensure ongoing management of the schools.

She stated that this action reflects the state government’s unwavering stance against neglect and its dedication to reinstating accountability and rigorous academic engagement in public education.

Previously, the state government had enacted an Executive Order removing the closure of schools on Mondays due to sit-at-home observances. A letter dated January 22, 2026, signed by ASUBEB Board Secretary, Loveline Mgbemena, admonished teachers and non-teaching staff that any failure to comply would result in a 20 percent reduction in salary or a complete forfeiture.