By our Reporter
Over 27 students in public secondary schools across Ondo State have been suspended for alleged misconduct and indiscipline.
The affected students were sanctioned for offences said to contravene the rules and regulations governing conduct in public secondary schools in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Akindele Ige, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection tour of the affected schools.
According to him, the disciplinary action followed reports of alleged unruly behaviour and other acts of gross misconduct that violate the state’s Code of Conduct for public secondary schools.
Ige said the decision was part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen discipline and promote acceptable behaviour among students.
Addressing school principals, vice principals and heads of departments during the visit, the permanent secretary said the sanctions were necessary despite repeated engagements with school administrators and other stakeholders aimed at curbing indiscipline.
He noted that several warnings had been issued, but some students continued to engage in unacceptable conduct.
He called on school authorities to strengthen supervision, improve monitoring and strictly enforce disciplinary measures to prevent further cases of misconduct.
Ige expressed concern over increasing incidents of bullying, fighting, truancy and the circulation of indecent videos on social media among students, warning that such acts threaten the learning environment and tarnish the image of the state’s education sector.
“The ministry maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviours that undermine the integrity of our educational system. Schools are centres for character formation and academic excellence.
“The state government remains committed to ensuring that our schools are safe, disciplined and conducive to learning.
“Under the suspension, the affected students have been barred from entering their respective school premises or participating in school-related activities pending the outcome of disciplinary reviews,” he said.
The ministry said the cases are being examined by the disciplinary committees of the affected schools in collaboration with the ministry.
Ige also urged parents and guardians to play a more active role in monitoring their children’s behaviour.
“We encourage parents and guardians to partner with school authorities in guiding and monitoring their children, as the responsibility for nurturing discipline and good character is a shared one between the home and the school,” he said.
He assured the public that the ministry would sustain routine monitoring visits to schools to ensure compliance with established rules and regulations.
The permanent secretary further warned that students found guilty of bullying, fighting, or other serious acts of misconduct would continue to face disciplinary sanctions in line with laid-down procedures.
