Scandal in Awka: School Accused of Selling Student Leadership Role Faces Government Sanction

 

A private school in Awka, the Anambra State capital, has come under intense scrutiny after being accused of monetising student leadership positions. The Anambra State Government has imposed a one-month sanction on Blossom Fount School following reports that it collected money from pupils vying for the position of head prefect.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who announced the disciplinary action on Saturday, described the school’s conduct as a gross abuse of educational values and a betrayal of trust. According to her, the institution reportedly demanded N5,000 from each pupil in the primary section aspiring to become head prefect — a move she condemned as an "attempt to sell the psyche of the children to the highest bidder from the cradle."

This practice, she noted, not only erodes the core principles of merit and integrity but also sends a damaging message to young minds about the value of leadership and the means to attain it.

The commissioner stressed that the current administration under Governor Chukwuma Soludo will not tolerate any behavior that undermines the moral foundation of the educational system. She assured the public that the matter is being taken seriously and that the school’s management practices are now under further investigation.

According to the education ministry, the sanction includes a temporary closure and monitoring of school activities to ensure compliance with state regulations. Additional punitive measures may follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing probe.

Stakeholders in the education sector have reacted strongly to the allegations, calling for strict enforcement of ethical standards across schools in the state. Parents and guardians have also voiced concerns, urging government officials to ensure that the dignity of education is upheld and that children are taught leadership through values, not transactions.

The unfolding investigation is expected to set a precedent for how similar issues will be handled in the future, with authorities vowing to protect students from exploitative practices that could shape their worldviews negatively from a young age.