Crisis as Federal Girls College management, PTA clash

Parents at Federal Government Girls’ College Owerri have asked Nigeria’s Education Ministry to investigate what they describe as a growing crisis under the school’s new principal, Gladys Ozoemena Onyeguiri.

In a petition signed by Clara Ihejirika, the Concerned Parents alleged high-handedness, extortion and disruptive policies. They urged the authorities responsible for unity schools to intervene, warning that the dispute could affect the college’s reputation, discipline, student welfare and administration.

The petition said several senior staff members were transferred within about four months of Onyeguiri taking office. The reported transfers, which allegedly took place between August 2 and August 20, 2026, included vice principals responsible for student affairs and academics, a head of subject and an assistant director.

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According to information available to concerned parents, clearance forms which were previously provided to outgoing students without charges now reportedly attracted payments of ₦1,000 or ₦2,000, with the collection allegedly being handled Mrs Morah, while students also provide A4 sheets. Parents deserve transparency concerning any approved fees or charges imposed on students.

The parents also challenged the reported termination of the appointment of a part-time mathematics teacher, identified as Mr. Mich. Ihejirika called the removal unjust and said the teacher had begun legal proceedings. She asked the ministry to establish whether due process had been followed.

Another complaint concerned clearance charges imposed on recently graduated SS3 students. The petition said forms that had previously been issued without charge allegedly attracted payments of ₦1,000 or ₦2,000, with students also asked to provide A4 sheets. It further raised concerns that six students were reportedly charged between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 as disciplinary measures. The parents said punishment should follow the approved disciplinary framework and called for transparency over all fees and sanctions.

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The request is not that students who violate school rules should go unpunished. Rather, the authorities should establish whether the sanctions imposed are authorised, proportionate and consistent with the approved disciplinary framework for Federal Government Colleges.