The Anambra State Government has announced that students who fail to attend school on Mondays will face a one-week suspension as part of efforts to enforce full academic activities across the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, disclosed the decision on Wednesday while addressing the management of two schools in Onitsha that were summoned over alleged non-compliance with the state’s directive on Monday school attendance.
She explained that the measure followed a directive from the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and reaffirmed the administration’s determination to end disruptions linked to the long-running Monday sit-at-home observed in parts of the South-East.
According to her, the policy is aimed at ensuring that schools operate normally at the start of every academic week.
“This measure is in line with the State Government’s resolve to ensure full resumption of academic activities on Mondays across Anambra. I urge schools to comply with the directive,” Chuma-Udeh said.
The affected schools — Mount Olive Schools and Spring Field Academy — were invited to explain reports of low student attendance on Mondays.
While Mount Olive Schools said attendance had improved in recent weeks, Spring Field Academy attributed the poor turnout to parents’ reluctance to send their children to school at the beginning of the week due to security concerns.
Both schools, however, assured the ministry that they would strengthen compliance with the government’s directive.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, through the Examination Development Centre, conducted the 2026 Transition Placement Examination across designated centres in the state.
Chuma-Udeh said she personally monitored the exercise alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ifeoma Agbaizu.
The officials visited several centres in Awka, including Nnamdi Azikiwe University Demonstration School, Igwebeze Primary School and Igwebuike Grammar School, to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.
