Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has placed a ban on extension classes in public schools in compliance with the United Nations (UN) stipulated time for school closure.
Ikengaonline had reported that Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, condemned the long period of time pupils spend in school in the name of extension class, describing the practice as unhealthy to both the pupils, their parents and society.
Bishop Ezeokafor who blamed teachers for the ugly development, lamented that the current education system makes it almost impossible for pupils to spend quality time with their parents.
Pointing that teachers now engage pupils in lessons from 7am to 6pm, he urged government to moderate the school academic and extracurricular activities to enable pupils balance their studies with home training and other engagements.
However, Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, in a statement, on Monday, announced that Anambra State Government has adopted the United Nations (UN) stipulations for schools to end daily academic activities by 2.30pm.
She said the adoption was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s desire for school children to have adequate rest and interaction with their parents before the commencement of the next day’s activities.
She charged all school Heads in the State to ensure closure of all daily academic activities by 2.30pm, to give room for the children to be at home by 3pm.
