Anambra govt bans social gatherings on school premises

The Anambra State Government has officially imposed a ban on all social events, including weddings, shows, and entertainment, from taking place on public school premises.

The announcement was made by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.

It was communicated through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, in Awka on Saturday.

According to Chuma-Udeh, the decision aims to protect school premises and infrastructure from damage caused by non-academic activities.

She emphasized that school facilities should not be used for commercial purposes.

“This is a warning to all principals and head teachers to desist from using school premises as commercial ventures.

“Henceforth, any principal or primary school head teacher who indulges in such acts will be severely dealt with”, she stated.

The commissioner has directed the Chairmen of the Post Primary Schools Services Commission (PPSSC) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB).

They are to ensure that the information is disseminated to all principals and head teachers across the state.

School heads are expected to adhere strictly to this new policy.

Historical use of school premises in Anambra

School premises in Anambra State have historically served dual purposes, both as educational facilities and as venues for social and community events.

Over the decades, these spaces have been utilized for weddings, religious gatherings, and various community activities.

This reflects a longstanding tradition of schools being central to community life.

This practice was particularly prevalent in the post-colonial era when public spaces were limited, and schools were among the few large venues available for such events.

However, this usage has evolved, and concerns have grown over the impact of these activities on school infrastructure.

In recent years, the practice of using school premises for non-academic purposes has raised issues, such as damage to facilities, security concerns, and disruptions to the educational environment.

Reasons for the ban

The Anambra State government recently decided to ban social events on school premises due to several critical concerns.

The primary justification is the protection of school infrastructure.

Events such as weddings and large gatherings often lead to physical damage to buildings and fields, which are costly to repair.

Moreover, the presence of non-academic activities can disrupt the learning environment, posing challenges for both students and educators.

There have also been concerns about security, with unauthorized access to school grounds during such events raising safety issues.

Examples of damage

Specific cases have illustrated the extent of damage caused by social events on school premises.

For example, some events have left school fields and classrooms in disrepair, requiring extensive repairs.

In some areas, using school grounds for religious activities caused conflicts and restricted access for educational purposes.

The conflict over school property use in Fegge, Onitsha, highlights the complexities of managing public school premises.

It underscores the challenges of using public school premises for non-academic activities.

In this case, the issue involved a public school that had been used by various religious and social groups for their activities.

Over time, this led to a situation where a particular religious organization, specifically a Roman Catholic Church, claimed ownership of the school premises.

The conflict escalated when the church locked up the school, restricting access to the facility.

This action sparked unrest as residents protested, arguing the school was public property and should remain accessible for all.

This example is significant because it shows how using school facilities for both education and community events can lead to conflicts.

Such dual use can potentially compromise the primary function of schools as educational institutions.

The physical and social damage from conflicts led the Anambra State government to ban social gatherings on school premises.

This decision aims to protect these spaces and ensure they remain focused on their educational purpose.

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