By Daniel Abe
The Executive Chairperson of Irewolede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. (Mrs) Dupe Bakare, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the number of students seen roaming the streets during school hours.
Hon. Bakare who voice her displeasure on Wednesday during a meeting with the principals of secondary schools within the LCDA, vowed that her administration would no longer tolerate such behaviour.
The meeting, held at the council secretariat, was attended by Vice Chairman Hon. Samson Kolawole, Secretary Hon. Adewale Adebo, Director of Administration Mr. Olutoyin Oladele, and security agents from the Peace Corps and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
During the meeting, the principals who highlighted several challenges, appealed to the government to help them errect perimeter fences in schools, provide potable water, and employ more teachers, saying these will help to address issues of students roaming the streets during school hours.
They also wanted the state government to review the policies prohibiting corporal punishment for students and pupils as some teachers are afraid to punish recalcitrant students.
The principals also blamed parents for burdening their children with domestic and commercial activities during school hours, preventing them from attending classes.
Responding, Hon. Bakare vowed to take punitive measures against parents who allow their children to roam the streets during school hours.
She instructed security personnel to start arresting students found loitering and warned that the government would not hesitate to sanction consistently unresponsive students or parents.
Hon. Bakare urged students to take full advantage of the state government’s free education programme by staying in the classroom and focusing on their studies to reach their full potential in life.