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 in disorderly conduct during the completion of their final examinations.

The penalty, disclosed by the state’s 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.

Commissioner for Education, Igbekele Ajibefun, during an emergency meeting convened with school administrators and government officials, said 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.

He, however, directed principals to immediately establish a “black book” for documenting students’ 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.

Ajibefun said 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.

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.

However, parents and the graduating students involved have been summoned to the ministry to receive their official punishment letters.