The Anambra State Government has introduced a strict disciplinary measure requiring schools to suspend any student who fails to attend classes on Mondays without a legitimate reason.
Education authorities said the policy is designed to restore uninterrupted academic activities across the state, particularly at the beginning of the school week.
Speaking yesterday, the Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, explained that the directive was issued following instructions from Governor Chukwuma Soludo to tackle the lingering impact of the Monday sit-at-home observed in parts of the South-East.
According to her, schools are now expected to ensure that both staff and students resume fully every Monday.
“The government is determined to end the culture of empty classrooms on Mondays,” Chuma-Udeh said.
“Any student who stays away without a valid explanation will be suspended for one week as a corrective step.”
She added that the state would closely monitor compliance, stressing that the measure is intended to safeguard the academic calendar and protect students’ learning time.
Meanwhile, the ministry summoned two Onitsha-based schools, Mount Olive Schools and Spring Field Academy, Onitsha, after reports suggested low turnout on Mondays.
School administrators appeared before education officials to explain the situation.
Representatives of Mount Olive Schools told the ministry that student attendance had recently improved.
However, management of Spring Field Academy attributed its challenges to parents who remain hesitant about sending their children to school early in the week.
Both institutions assured the government that stronger steps would be taken to encourage students to resume classes every Monday.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education said it successfully conducted the 2026 Transition Placement Examination across multiple centres in the state.
Chuma-Udeh said she personally supervised the process alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ifeoma Agbaizu.
Their monitoring tour included schools such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University Demonstration School, Igwebeze Primary School and Igwebuike Grammar School in Awka.
She noted that the exercise proceeded smoothly, describing it as part of the government’s wider effort to strengthen discipline and maintain consistent learning across schools in Anambra.