Ondo constitutes task force to arrest truant students, sanction school heads

Ondo state has moved to constitute a task force that would apprehend students found roaming the streets during school hours.

Igbekele Ajibefun, the state’s commissioner for education, spoke to NAN on Tuesday in Akure.

The professor said any student caught roaming the streets during school hours would be apprehended and face the necessary sanction.

He explained that a task force was being constituted in each of the state’s three senatorial districts to monitor and apprehend any student found roaming the streets during school hours.

“The task force comprises mainly retired principals and teachers from the locality to complement the ministry’s efforts. We cannot do it alone,” the commissioner said.

Ajibefun said the state government will ensure a total clampdown on truancy in all its public schools and prevent students from roaming the streets during school hours.

He said aside from apprehending any erring student, the head of the concerned school would be sanctioned for not enforcing discipline in the school.

The commissioner stressed that the effort was in line with the directive of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state governor, who, he said, had ordered a total clampdown on truancy in schools across the state.

The commissioner emphasised that the present administration in the state was against students roaming the streets during school hours

“Students must desist from roaming the streets during school hours to ensure the realisation of their academic pursuits and parents’ dreams,” Ajibefun said.

“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration remains committed to providing quality education for all children in Ondo State,” Ajibefun told NAN.”

He urged parents and guardians to collaborate with the government and schools to monitor their children’s education, and advised the students to stay focused on academics to fulfil parental aspirations.