Why We Barred Teachers from Holding Meetings – Anambra Govt

By Jude Atupulazi

Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, says the directive by the state government barring teachers in the state from holding meetings arose from their misconduct during a recent meeting of the executive committee of the teachers held on June 6.

The Commissioner who described the teachers’ action as shameful, show of shame, said it was further predicated on the need to avert a breakdown of law and order; even as she added that the ban remained in force, pending the settlement of the internal wrangling bedeviling the Union in Anambra State by the National body of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). She also cautioned everyone to be guided accordingly.

Reactions have however trailed the ban on meetings of the members of NUT in Anambra State by the state government which took effect from June 21.

While some described the ban as a breach of democracy and infringement on the fundamental human rights of the Anambra Teachers; some others upheld it as a step in the right direction, arguing that the Union in the State had since been headed by a retired teacher who refused to leave office since his retirement, on the claim of being given an extension of service by former Governor Willie Obiano.

Some, in their reactions, also lamented that the teaching profession was becoming unsustainable because of the very low pay and urged the government to look into the problem; while others even questioned the relevance of NUT in today’s realities.