The Lagos State government has commenced investigation into the incident of a school principal who sent a student away for reportedly using the poster of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Mr. Peter Obi to wrap her book.
Ten-year-old junior secondary school student at Odomola Secondary School, Epe, Miss Marvellous Barinaadaa, according to reports was sent home last Tuesday.
Her mother, who took to the social media to inform the public about the incident appealed to Nigerians to come to the family’s aid.
“This is to inform you all that my daughter, Marvelous Barinaadaa, was exited from Odomola Secondary School today 14th March 2023, by the principal, just because my daughter used Peter Obi’s poster paper to wrap her notebook for school.
“And this girl is just ten years old.
“She didn’t know anything about politics, but she was sent away from school without informing the parents because they say we support Peter Obi and Labour Party.
“Please, is this act by the principal good? See what the school principal wrote in that letter. And after we will say we are one Nigeria.”
Reacting to the report, the commissioner for education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, said yesterday that the state government had shown interest in the matter.
She said in a statement by the spokesman for the ministry, Mr. Ganiyu Lawal that thorough investigation of the matter will be carried out and “anyone found culpable will be subjected to disciplinary measures as laid down in the civil service rules.”
She said the principal of the school had been recalled to explain what happened.
“Lagos State ministry of education is investigating the complaint of a parent that his child was sent out of school for using the poster of one of the contestants in the last election to wrap his books.
“The incident was reported to have happened at Odomola Junior Secondary School, Epe.
“The ministry has recalled the principal, who will be asked to explain the incident.
“The Lagos State government, the ministry of education and all its agencies will never instruct any school principal, personnel or teacher to act in such a manner.
“The commissioner for education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, reassures the public that the matter will be dealt with within the scope of our strict regulations as the reason for sending home the student is unacceptable — if true,” the commissioner stated.
She also disclosed that that another school principal at Odonguyan, who was caught on camera, as shared on social media, promoting her political choice to the students, had been subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures.
“The ministry promotes and runs a public school system devoid of politics and political insinuations.
“A thorough investigation of the matter will be carried out and anyone found culpable will be subjected to disciplinary measures as laid down in the civil service rules,” she added.
Meanwhile, the president of the Odomola Secondary School Old Students Association, Mr. Saka Shola, has reacted saying the JSS2 student was sent home for allegedly causing nuisance and distraction through the distribution of Obi’s posters in the classroom.
He also alleged that the facts of the incidents are being distorted.
“I have been able to reach the principal. The issue circulating is far from the truth. There is a directive to stop all forms of campaign in the classroom, as some political parties use the students to campaign in class.
“The principal did not expel or suspend the student. She sent her home for causing havoc and disturbance in the class during recess by chatting, and sharing LP poster to her mates.
“Again, the permanent secretary, ministry of education is on the issue,” he said.
