Chinedum Elekwachi
Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has warned Headteachers against exploitation of parents under any guise, stressing that such act denies children of the poor equal access to free and quality education.
Executive Chairman, Dr. Vera Nwadinobi gave the warning at the 2025 annual leadership retreat for Officers-in-Charge, Head teachers and Directors in the Anambra State basic schools system.
The retreat themed: “21st Century Management/Leadership Skills: Tool for Excellent Performance in Basic Education” took place in Okpuno in 12 sessions across the 21 Local Government Areas in the State.
Nwadinobi warned that any headteacher caught violating the directive would be stepped down
She however called on Headteachers and Directors in State basic schools to leverage technology in their teaching and learning processes for maximum learning outcomes ahead of school resumption in September.
“Headteachers, Directors and Officers-in-Charge play vital roles in shaping the minds of future leaders.
“Their dedication is instrumental in driving ‘quality education for all’ agenda of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the State,” she noted.
Updating management skills
ASUBEB boss explained that the retreat was to expose participants to the 21st century management and leadership skills for excellent performance in basic education.
“As Headteachers and stakeholders in digital era, you must leverage technology for administration and instructions.
“You are also to model integrity, discipline, and professionalism for a better service delivery to our learners” she opined.
Earlier, Director, Quality Assurance Department, ASUBEB, Awka Mrs Stella Ezepue noted that it has become imperative for educators to acquire skills and strategies for handling teaching and learning.
“The teachers’ methods should be more of learners-centred approaches in content delivery.
“The retreat is to retrain the headteachers who are involved in all basic education stages,” he added.
One of the resource persons, Prof. Vivian Nwogbo of the Department of Educational Management & Policy, UNIZIK, Awka harped on the need for school administrators to respond to policy changes, integrate technology and address evolving needs of both learners and teachers.
Visionary, adaptive leadership
She said, “The 21st century leader should be visionary, adaptive, inclusive, distributive, and transformational with emotional intelligence to excel in school management,” he stressed.
For his part, Prof. Ikechukwu Onyenwe of Computer Science Department, UNIZIK, Awka spoke on importance of leveraging technology in today’s classrooms.
He appealed to the school heads to embrace technology in administration for a better service delivery.
Dr. Eberechukwu Chigbu of the Department of Guidance & Counselling, UNIZIK, Awka dwelt on modelling integrity, discipline and professionalism.
He called on leaders to inspire trust, drive consistency and set high standards by acquiring soft skills such as subjective and interpersonal skills; hard skills in the area of language proficiency and ICTs.
“By modelling ethics and moral principles such as integrity, honesty, fairness and accountability among others, the upcoming generation will key into excellent performance seamlessly,” he said.
Speaking separately, Board Secretary, Hon. Loveline Mgbemena, ASUBEB Member 1, Ify Anatune and ASUBEB ex-officio member, representing PTA, Uche Egbusi urged teachers to be positive in their choice of words to the learners.
The Education Secretary, Mission Schools, Lt. Ikechukwu Onyebuchi highlighted the importance of teacher’s communication with pupils and need for child protection.
