Examination Monitoring: Anambra Education Commissioner Warns Principals Against Laxity

By Obiageli Nwankwo

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has warned principals of public secondary schools to uphold discipline and maintain high examination standards or risk being removed from office, as the state government intensifies efforts to eliminate examination malpractice.

Dr. Ogugua gave the warning during an unscheduled monitoring visit to Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, and Community Secondary School, Okpuno, on Wednesday, to assess compliance with examination guidelines during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

At Igwebuike Grammar School, the Commissioner expressed disappointment over the level of indiscipline, observing that many students were loitering around the school premises during examination hours instead of preparing for or writing their examinations. He also described the examination environment as untidy and lacking the seriousness expected of a centre conducting a national examination.

“The school lacks the proper examination ambience. Management must rise to its responsibilities. Principals who cannot align with the vision of this administration will be relieved of their duties,” he warned.

Dr. Ogugua also urged students to embrace cleanliness and discipline, stressing that a clean environment reflects good character and supports effective learning.

At Community Secondary School, Okpuno, the Commissioner noted that the examination had yet to commence at the scheduled time due to the absence of external supervisors. The Principal, Mrs. Osigwe, explained that the students seen outside were junior secondary students awaiting their next paper after completing the first. She also appealed to the government for additional classroom blocks to accommodate the growing student population resulting from the state’s free education policy.

Reaffirming the Soludo administration’s commitment to quality education, Dr. Ogugua said the monitoring exercise was aimed at strengthening accountability in schools and eradicating examination malpractice.

“We will not allow our public schools to become miracle centres. Examination malpractice has no place in our education system, and we will continue to enforce standards that protect the future of our children,” he said.

The Commissioner assured that the Ministry of Education would continue conducting unscheduled inspections during both internal and external examinations to safeguard the credibility and integrity of education in Anambra State.