By Obiageli Nwankwo

The Anambra Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has urged teachers and school administrators to reside closer to their duty posts to improve their availability and efficiency.

Ogugua made the call on Sept. 29, while addressing principals from Otuocha Zone at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Education at the ASUBEB Utility Hall, Awka, to review challenges facing schools in the zone.

He said spending substantial income and time commuting to distant workplaces was counterproductive, urging teachers to consider accommodation within reasonable distance of their schools whenever circumstances permitted.

The commissioner expressed concern over reports of poor performance among some teachers and principals posted to the zone, warning that the ministry would not tolerate negligence or inefficiency.

Ogugua said teachers should decide whether they were prepared to work diligently or resign, adding that government plans were nearing completion to recruit more teachers across the zone.

He said the ministry would also scrutinise transfers and recruitment into the zone, warning that applicants who secured employment as indigenes before seeking transfers elsewhere after appointment would no longer be allowed to do so.

The commissioner urged principals to take responsibility for improving learning outcomes by initiating practical changes while government addressed major infrastructure and resource challenges facing schools in the zone.

Ogugua pledged to present the zone’s pressing needs to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for possible intervention in infrastructure and teaching tools, while urging principals to develop solutions within their authority.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu; Director, SEQAD, Dr. Sabina Ndigwe; and Otuocha Zonal Director, Mrs. Nkoli Agata, called for stronger leadership and collaboration with communities to improve education in the zone.

The meeting ended with participants reaffirming their commitment to improving the quality of education across Anambra.