EDITORIAL
Newsflo.ng
In a disturbing incident that has sparked widespread concern, a Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College in Akure, Ondo State, was brutally beaten by students and their family members for doing his job. The incident, which occurred during the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) exams, has highlighted the dangers and menaces that educators and school administrators face in the line of duty.
According to a preliminary report of the state government’s investigation, the Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, prevented a student from cheating during the exam, which led to a confrontation with the student’s mother and brother. The mother reportedly came to the school to fight with the school management, and the brother, an old student of the school, later came to harass the Vice Principal and threatened to deal with him.
After school hours, the boys were seen loitering in the street, and the proprietor was informed. He told Mr. Rotifa to go to the police station to lodge a complaint. When the police took Mr. Rotifa in their van to look for the boys, they couldn’t get them. However, on their way back to the station, the boys waylaid the Police Van, brought out Mr. Rotifa, and beat him to pop.
However, state authorities are said to have waded in and four of the perpetrators are already cooling off in police custody.
We appreciate the prompt attention given to this matter by the Nigeria Police, who have taken charge of the case and made some arrests. Their efforts to ensure the safety of the staff and students are commendable.
Government at all levels has a serious role to play in arresting this examination menace this moment before it finally gets to a stage when thugs will start invading exam centres to carry away question papers and returning them at the close of the exercise.
Newsflo.ng raised the alarm of brazen examination malpractices in some private schools and rural centers during the last year WASCE in seven LGAs of Ondo State.
The Ministries of Youth and Social Development, as well as Women Affairs and Social Services, have a lot to do in this regard. Social re-engaging, rehabilitating, and reengineering are very pertinent at this moment. These ministries can work together to develop programs that promote positive values and behaviors among young people.
This incident is a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the education sector to take a closer look at the values and culture that are being promoted in our schools. We must ensure that educators and school administrators are protected and supported in their place of work. The safety and well-being of our teachers and students are crucial to the future of our society.
To prevent such incidents in the future, it is essential to ensure that schools are safe and secured environments for both students and staff. This can be achieved through a combination of measures, including increased security, counseling, and education on conflict resolution.
Parents also have a crucial role to play in promoting a culture of respect, moral and ethical discipline in schools. Supporting teachers and administrators. Parents will help create an environment that is conducive to learning and growth.
Accountability is key to preventing such incidents. Those who engage in violence or intimidation must be held accountable for their actions. This will help to create a culture of responsibility and respect for authority.
Educators play a vital role in shaping the future of our society. It is pertinent that they are protected and supported even though many of public and private schools principals charge as much as 70,000 per student as “help money”
Creating a culture of respect in schools requires a collective effort. By promoting values such as discipline, hard work, and respect for authority, we can create an environment that is conducive to learning and growth.
Moving forward, it is essential that we take a closer look at the root causes of such incidents and work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for our educators and students. This will require a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including government, parents, and educators.
The safety and well-being of our teachers and students are crucial to the future of our society. By promoting values such as discipline, hard work, and respect for authority, we can create a brighter future for our children and our society.
Today’s parenting is a major setback for the society. There is no more social order. Discipline and moral teachings are supposed to originate from the homes. This is lacking and the result is the moral chaos and anarchy among today’s youth. The culture of hardwork is already eroded. Cutting corners as in the present case is now the order of the day.
Whether the authorities will take a crucial cue from this ugly incident and take an extra harsh decision to forestall future occurrence remains to be seen.
Editorial Board
Newsflo.ng 🇳🇬
