… Expels others, queries school officials

… Vows zero tolerance to indiscipline

The Ondo State Government has ordered the immediate withholding of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and testimonials of 17 graduating secondary school students following their involvement disorderly conduct during the completion of their final examinations.

The penalty, disclosed by the State Ministry of Education, comes in response to a viral video that surfaced on social media platforms TikTok and Facebook, showing students from three prominent schools in the state capital engaging in what the government described as “indisciplined behaviour.”

According to the ministry, the affected students were captured tearing their school uniforms and chanting strange slogans upon completing their final examination paper, with the actions described as a violation of the core values of the state’s educational system.

The culprits have been identified as students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School, and CAC Grammar School, all located in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

During an emergency meeting convened with school administrators and government officials, the Ministry disclosed that the names of the identified 17 students would be entered into the “black book” of their respective schools as part of the disciplinary measures.

The Commissioner for Education, Igbekele Ajibefun, who presided over the meeting, directed principals to immediately establish a “black book” for documenting student misconduct, while senior officers at the affected schools have received official queries for failing to adequately supervise the students and allowing the celebrations to degenerate into lawlessness.

He said, “For those in the video who are not in the terminal class, the Ministry has directed that they be expelled from school immediately.”

Ajibefun stated that the measures taken would serve as a deterrent to other students who might consider engaging in similar acts in the future.

The Commissioner further advised all parents to consistently counsel their children against actions that could mar their futures, emphasising that while celebrating academic milestones is natural, the government maintains zero tolerance for activities that damage the moral fabric and reputation of the state’s educational system.

‘The growing “sign-out” culture among secondary school students must be guided by decency. We will not fold our arms and watch the discipline we have painstakingly instilled in our schools be eroded for the sake of social media clout.

“We must defend the integrity of our education system in the state. We will not allow those who are not ready to be in school to disturb our institutions.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Akindele Ige, advised principals to proactively share information with the Zonal Education Office and the Ministry to address unrest before it escalates, calling for improved communication channels between schools and education authorities.

Parents and the graduating students involved have been summoned to the Ministry to receive their official punishment letters.