Ondo Govt vows crackdown on exam malpractices, hooliganism in schools

The Ondo State Government has restated that it would not tolerate any form of hooliganism, thuggery or examination malpractices during internal or external examinations in the state.

The Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Akindele Ige handed down the warning when he led a group of Directors on an enquiry to Child Development College, Aule, a privately owned school in Akure, where the Vice Principal, Mr. Alexander Rotifa was reportedly beaten up by thugs over confiscation of android phone during examination.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Director of Information and Media of the ministry, Mr. Olaoluwa Meshack

According to multiple reports, the Vice Principal caught a candidate with an android phone in the hall during the on-going West Africa School Certificate Examination WASCE, on Thursday and prevented him from using it.

The action did not go down well with the candidate who informed his mother of the action of the Vice Principal and both of them immediately mobilised a group of young men and besieged the school premises, asking for the head of the Vice Principal.

Sensing the danger, the school authority immediately invited the police who came in their van to rescue the Vice Principal, but the thugs were said to have blocked the police van, dragged the Vice Principal out and gave him the beaten of his life in the presence of the police

The Administrative Secretary, condemned the action in it entirety, saying the state government would never condone examination malpractices or hooliganism under whatever guide.

He warned that the use of handset or any other material that capable of aiding malpractices is totally prohibited in schools across the state during examinations either internal or external.

According to him, the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has some sets of rules on examination malpractices and would not hesitate to apply them on erring students, officials or schools either private or public.

Ige said the ministry has commenced enquiry into the matter and is working with relevant stakeholders to get to the root and apply sanctions where appropriate.

He also cautioned school children across the state against thuggery, hooliganism and other vices capable of affecting their future negatively.