The Ondo State Government has sanctioned some students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School and CAC Grammar School, Akure, following a viral “sign-out” video that sparked public outrage on social media.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Akure.
The video, which circulated on platforms like TikTok and Facebook following the completion of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), showed graduating students engaging in chaotic and undisciplined behavior, including tearing uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans.
Ajibefun said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of stakeholders at the Ministry’s headquarters in Akure.
He said: ”The official school testimonials and WASSCE results of the 17 students identified in the video will be withheld until further notice, and their names will be entered into the “black book” of their respective schools.
“All principals have been directed to open a “black book” for student misconduct, and senior officers at the affected schools have received official queries for failing to adequately supervise and allowing the celebrations to degenerate into lawlessness.
“For those in the video who are not in the terminal class, the Ministry has directed that they be expelled from school immediately.”
He said that sanctions would serve as a deterrent to other schools across the state.
The Commissioner advised parents to consistently counsel their children against actions that could mar their futures, stating that the measures taken by the Ministry will serve as a deterrent to other students who might consider engaging in similar acts in the future.
Ajibefun emphasized 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.
He stated, “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 parents and the graduating students involved have been summoned to the Ministry today to receive their official punishment letters.
