Examination Monitoring:Commissioner visits schools,decries laxity,warns principals - Anambra Ministry of Education

by obiagali nwankwo

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has warned principals of public secondary schools to enforce discipline and uphold examination standards or risk being relieved of their duties as the state government intensifies its campaign against examination malpractice.

Dr. Ogugua gave the warning during an unscheduled monitoring visit to Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, and Community Secondary School, Okpuno,on Wednesday July 15, to assess compliance with examination guidelines during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

The Commissioner expressed concern over what he described as growing laxity among teachers and students, warning that the state would no longer tolerate any practice that turns public schools into “miracle centres” where examination malpractice thrives.

At Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, Dr. Ogugua decried the level of disorder in the school, observing that many students were loitering around during examination hours instead of preparing for or writing their examinations. He said the situation suggested that the school management was not fully in control.

“The school had no examination ambience. Management must step up. Principals who cannot align with the vision of this administration will be relieved of their duties,” the Commissioner said.

Dr. Ogugua also faulted the condition of the examination hall, describing it as untidy and littered with debris. He urged the school authorities to maintain a conducive examination environment and encouraged students to cultivate the habit of keeping their surroundings clean, noting that cleanliness reflects discipline and good character.

At Community Secondary School, Okpuno, the Commissioner observed same situation and the fact that the NECO examination had not commenced at the scheduled time because external supervisors were yet to arrive.

Responding, the Principal, Mrs. Osigwe, explained that the students outside were Junior Secondary School students who had completed their first examination paper and were waiting for the second paper. She also appealed to the state government to provide additional classroom blocks to accommodate the growing student population following the implementation of the state’s free education policy, noting that Community Secondary School, Okpuno, is the only public secondary school serving the area.

The Commissioner said the monitoring exercise forms part of the Soludo administration’s broader strategy to strengthen accountability in schools and eliminate examination malpractice. “Government is out to curb examination malpractice. We will not allow our public schools to be turned into miracle centres. That orientation does not bode well for the future of our children,” he said.

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining unscheduled monitoring of schools during both internal you and external examinations to preserve the credibility and integrity of the state’s education system.