Cultism: Shaibu orders partial shutdown of two schools in Benin
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/04/cultism-shaibu-orders-partial-shutdown.html
Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has
ordered the partial shutdown of Ihogbe College and Oba Akenzua Secondary
School, to allow the state government, parents and a mentorship
committee brainstorm and provide solutions to cult-related activities
among students in the schools.
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Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu |
During a meeting between the acting governor and parents of the
students, held at the school premises on Monday, April 1, in Benin City,
Shaibu said the schools would be shut a week earlier than the scheduled
date for closure, with only those in Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3)
and Junior Secondary School (JSS3) allowed into school, as others
students have finished their exams.
He said this would enable a mentorship committee set up to address
clashes in the schools, come up with effective approaches to resolving
the lingering issues and set the template to ensure the students imbibe
acceptable social behaviours and good morals.
He noted, “We cannot allow cultism in our secondary schools in Edo
state. We have to stamp our authority in these two schools. We cannot
allow rivalry and cult clashes among students.
That is why we have to
come in to deal with the issue of morals. Something went wrong and that
is what we must correct. That is why we have set up the mentorship
committee and closed the school to investigate the root cause of this
incident and find solutions.”
He added, “What is key is that these students need serious moral rearmament. We have to refocus their minds toward education.”
Noting that there was a need to involve parents in addressing the
lingering issues, Shaibu said, “We cannot do it without involving
parents. The teacher will play his or her role; the government will play
theirs, but the feedback and follow up from home is critical. That is
why we have to bring the parents in.”
Stressing that the situation in the school is not a lost cause, he
said the students can still be guided aright with the right mentoring
and support. “The good news is that the situation is not that bad to the
extent that these children cannot be helped. The complaints from the
teachers and all other things I saw are policy issues, which we will go
back to the office and discuss.
Don’t forget that the governor must
endorse some of these decisions because they are going to be critical
and we have to think through them before making any drastic decision. We
are not going to leave any stone unturned,” he added.
A motivational speaker, Pastor Kay Benson-Akhigbe, urged the students
not to feel offended whenever their teachers correct them, noting that
such corrections are meant to enable them lead better lives.
Akhigbe urged the parents to ensure they guide their children and
wards on appropriate morals and report deviant behaviours to teachers
and members of the committee.
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