School principals sacked over examination malpractice

olamide oni

July 14, 2016 1:40 PM

"We have punished so many of our teachers who were supervisors of SSCE for getting involved in one form of malpractice or the other. We are doing these things to serve as deterrent."

SSCE students

In a recent interview, Commissioner of Education Enugu State, Professor Uche Eze, reveals plans by the state government to

Speaking to DailyTrust, Eze responded to speculations that the government is clamping down on private examination centres and school principals.

He said, "we have punished so many of our teachers who were supervisors of SSCE for getting involved in one form of malpractice or the other. We are doing these things to serve as deterrent. We also noticed that some private schools are involved in some of these things. In fact, by mid-July there will be an announcement of two private schools we have closed down.

We shut them down; one, for running a substandard school and also for engaging in examination malpractice. It is not acceptable," he added.

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Eze also mentioned that during the recent Senior School Certificate Examinations, he and other government representatives made the rounds as they supervise various schools and how they conducted the examinations.

"During the exams, I moved around with my team and unfortunately, we discovered that some people did not heed to what we preached. In fact, we are still contemplating sanctioning more schools. I can remember the name of one school involved in malpractices and when I got the report I ordered that the principal be removed immediately and made a classroom teacher because he is not worthy of that position or bring up our children.

Basically, I think we have removed five principals or more for one offence or the other because we agreed that the only way to restore and build a proper system is to ensure discipline. Everybody must be held accountable, starting from the commissioner. I have to play according to the rules; the chairman of the board has to play according to the rules, likewise the principals. When all of us that serve as models do the right thing, definitely the children will follow."

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He expressed that he believed it is only by being a hands-on commissioner that he will be able to make the right changes in the education sector. He mentioned that he had visited 17 local government areas of the state and over 200 and primary and secondary schools.

olamide oni