Disengagement of PTA teachers: Anambra Assembly invites Education commissioner

Anambra State House of Assembly has invited the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh to appear before it on June 23 for clarifications on issues pertaining to disengagement of PTA teachers recruited by the previous administration.

She is also to explain the reliability of procedures of the ongoing Teachers’ Recruitment Exercise. 

The invitation was given through the motion moved by the House Committee on Education and member representing Anaocha ǁ constituency, Mr. Ejike Okechukwu during the plenary on June 21.

These issues and the attitude of the commissioner cum the recent activities of her ministry were debated upon by the lawmakers and were unanimously adopted through a voice vote put up by the Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor during the plenary. 

Supporting the motion, Mr. Ebele Ejiofor representing Anaocha 1 constituency said that over 1000 teachers recruited by the Willie Obiano’s administration and issued appointment letters were sacked by the current government despite the fact that the teachers have worked for seven months without salaries.

Ejiofor argued that most of the sacked teachers showed their appointment letters to lawmakers and that the reasons for sacking them have not really been ascertained; that the Education Commissioner has to explain to the legislative house beyond all reasonable doubts why the teachers were sacked from their jobs given the harsh economic situation in the country. 

A group of protesters numbering over 1000 had on June 7, beseeched the entrance of the State House of Assembly complex to seek the intervention of the House on their situation. 

The protesting teachers also said that they are also being owed seven months salary before the unexpected sack. 

Similarly, the House invited the heads of all Local Government administration in the state, including their Accountants to appear before it on the same date.