Ondo Govt Moves Tough Against Student Indiscipline, Warns of Expulsion, Prosecution

The Ondo State Ministry of Education has announced strict measures to curb rising cases of indiscipline among public secondary school students, warning that erring students risk expulsion and prosecution.

The decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting held in the Ministry’s boardroom to address the growing trend of student misconduct—many of which have recently gone viral on social media.

Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, stressed the urgency of taking firm action. He identified street fighting, violent clashes, bullying and other unruly acts as recurring issues, warning that severe sanctions would now apply. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline in schools.

Prof. Ajibefun called on parents to caution their children and ensure they conduct themselves responsibly, especially within school premises. He explained that principals of affected schools were invited to provide first-hand accounts and jointly brainstorm solutions.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Dr. Oluwadahunsi Oke, aligned with the Commissioner’s position and warned students to desist from all forms of misconduct.

The Administrative Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, noted that a similar meeting was held the previous year, with reports submitted afterward, yet the issues persist. He emphasized the need for more decisive and collective action given the recurrence.

The meeting ended with a communiqué outlining the roles of all stakeholders in addressing the persistent challenges. School principals were directed to intensify monitoring of students’ activities to check cultism, street fighting and other social vices.

Stakeholders also agreed on the need for regular engagement sessions to track progress and address emerging concerns. The Ministry was further tasked with investigating the unusual rise in private school enrolment during external examination periods. Effective collaboration among all stakeholders was emphasized as essential in restoring discipline across schools in the state.