Oyo State Government has suspended a female student of Jericho High School, Ibadan for unlawful behaviour, vowing to take further action on the matter in due course.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem stated in a statement made available to INFO DAILY via the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun.

Expressing the displeasure of Oyo State government over the incident, which led to her suspension, Adbu-Raheem disclosed that the student in company of her mother, recently invaded the school with hefty thugs and miscreants assaulting a male student, teachers and other parents during an ongoing PTA meeting.

The mayhem was said to be ignited by the girl’s mother and other accomplices, thereby, causing tension in the school.

Barr. Abdu-Raheem noted that the state government is taking further action, to serve as a deterrent to other unguided parents and wards.

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He appealed for caution, emphasizing that the present government has zero tolerance for impunity, while charging students, parents and all stakeholders to take advantage of Governor Seyi Makinde’s free qualitative education programs.

Joseph Kanjo

The Oyo State Government has ordered an immediate suspension of three staff members, while the Headteacher, Oyo State Basic School, Ogbomoso and the Principal, Oyo State Training School for the Blind have been transferred.

The staff members were handed immediate suspension and transfer following their involvement in the alleged sexual harassment at the centre.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem, Esq., and made available to INFO DAILY, revealed that the suspension and transfer were Oyo State Government’s response to a viral video and unrest in the school recently.

He said this would equally enhance free and unbiased investigations by the Four- man Probe Committee put in place.

The Commissioner recalled how himself, his counterpart at Women Affairs, the Executive Adviser on Disability, Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Representatives of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board had visited the School to ascertain the causes of the agitation and the needs of the special students.

He, therefore, emphasized that the various letters issued take immediate effect, so as to restore peace in the school.

Abdu-Raheem warned school Principals, Head- Teachers and other staff members to desist from all compromising acts that can jeopardize the efforts of the State Government ably led by His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde”, he said.

He assured parents and other stakeholders of constant unannounced monitoring of all schools in the State.

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While equally assuring the continuous support of the Oyo State Government to move the education sector to greater heights, he urged parents, students and other relevant stakeholders to support and partner with this government.

The affected Head-teacher is Mrs Adebiyi Racheal, while the Principal is Mrs. Akanbi Oluwaseun.

Graduates with Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give his assent to the bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in the country.

They noted that the president’s assent would ensure the growth of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Recall that the House of Representatives had last Tuesday passed the bill seeking a perpetual end to the dichotomy.

The legislation was titled “A Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the Same Profession/Field for the Purpose of Employment; and for Related Matters.”

The bill stipulates some punitive measures against any form of discrimination against holders of HND.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Coordinator of the Coalition of HND stakeholders, Sebastian Onyemaobi, recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in September 2007 directed that the dichotomy and ceiling on salary grade level attainable by HND holders should be removed.

He, however, noted that despite previous laws and policies, discrimination against HND holders persists because there were no sanctions for non-compliance.

According to him, the current piece of legislation would address the problem, which he noted, was one of the key setbacks to technological growth and the nation’s quest for industrialisation.

Onyemaobi argued that the bill would also bring an end to the outdated class-concept and certificate-based approach being practised in Nigeria, including introducing the globally accepted performance-based approach to work place administration.

He said: “The passage of this Bill has rekindled the joy, hope and self-esteem of millions of HND holders who over the years have been enmeshed in abject traumatisation due to unwarranted discrimination, harsh and inhumane treatments at their various work places in both public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy in spite of their vast potentials, hard work and immense contributions to national development.

“The bill passed by the National assembly will indeed provide a succor and a cushion to the dilemma of millions of polytechnic and monotechnic students who have been engulfed in wondrous contemplation on how to approach the bleak, uncertain and insecure future as well as unbearable workplace environment that await them upon graduation from their various polytechnic and monotechnic institutions.

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“While we wait with ecstatic expectations, the signing of this epoch-making Bill into law, the coalition wishes to assure our dear President, the National Assembly and all Nigerians that HND holders and indeed the polytechnic system will work hard to live up to their expectations and justify the confidence reposed on them if this Bill is signed into Law.

“Also, we assure you that upon signing of this momentous Bill into Law, HND holders will be greatly propelled to utilise their talents and potentials to the fullest and contribute immensely, more than ever before, to national development.”