Anambra State Government has directed all public schools across the state to resume full academic activities every Monday, putting an end to years of school closures linked to the sit-at-home practice in the South-East.
Gatekeepers News reports that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo signed the Executive Order on January 23, 2026, with immediate effect, declaring that public primary and secondary schools must operate normally at the start of every week.
The state government said the decision was taken to protect children’s access to education and reverse learning losses caused by repeated disruptions.
According to the government, the Monday sit-at-home, which began as a directive linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra, has continued despite repeated appeals, enforcement actions, and public assurances on security.
Authorities said the continued closure of schools has negatively affected academic performance, increased dropout risks, and widened educational gaps among pupils.
The Executive Order makes it mandatory for teachers, school administrators, and non-teaching staff to report to work on Mondays.
The government warned that failure to comply would attract penalties, including salary deductions for partial absence and complete loss of monthly pay for repeated or total non-attendance.
Parents and guardians were also urged to ensure their children attend school on Mondays, as attendance will be monitored by school heads and local education officials.
In a statement released after the signing, the government said the policy was part of broader efforts to restore normal life and enforce the rule of law.
“The right to education is fundamental and cannot be held hostage by illegal sit-at-home orders,” the statement read.
“Anambra will no longer tolerate the disruption of learning for political or separatist reasons. Schools must function every school day.”
The state Ministry of Education has been instructed to closely track compliance levels and forward reports of absenteeism for disciplinary action.
The government also assured residents that security around school premises would be strengthened, with law enforcement agencies deployed to prevent intimidation or attempts to shut down schools.
The order follows earlier measures taken by the Soludo administration to reduce the economic and social damage caused by sit-at-home actions, including reopening markets, restoring transport services, and encouraging public offices to function on affected days.
The Anambra State Government has appealed to residents to cooperate with the directive, stressing that consistent schooling is vital to the state’s development and the well-being of its children.
