Peter Okoye, PBA Journalism Mentee
Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, has directed the State Ministry of Education to investigate the complaint of a parent whose child was sent out of school for allegedly using the poster of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi, to wrap her book.
Miss Marvellous Barinaadaa, a Junior Secondary School Student at Odomola Secondary School, in Epe area of Lagos, was sent home by the principal for using Obi’s poster to wrap her notebook.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe mother took to social media on Tuesday, 14th March, to raise a complaint about the incident, stating that her daughter was just 10 years old and had nothing to do with politics.
In the message sighted by our correspondent, the mother while lamenting the action, said the school authority never gave prior information to the family as to what happened.
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The message circulated on social media has an attachment of the exit note signed by the school principal.
It reads: “This is to inform you all, that my Daughter Marvelous Barinaadaa, was exited from Odomola Secondary school today 14th March 2023 by the school Principal, just because my daughter used Peter Obi poster paper to wrap her notebook for school.
“This girl is just 10 years old, she didn’t know anything about Politics, but she was sent away from school without informing the parent because they say we support Peter Obi and Labour.
“Please, is this act by the school Principal good? See what the school Principal wrote in that letter. And after we will say we are one Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, Wednesday, said the governor has approved the recall of the principal, to explain the incident.
She, however, reassured Lagosians that the matter will be properly treated within the scope of the regulations guiding the Ministry.
“The Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Education and all its agencies will never instruct any school principal, personnel or teacher to act in such a manner.
“The matter would be dealt with within the scope of our strict regulations as the reason for sending home the student is unacceptable – if true“, she said.
Adefisayo also disclosed that the Lagos school principal at Odonguyan who was caught on camera engaging the students to support her political candidate has been summoned by the appropriate authority for disciplinary measures.
“The Ministry promotes and runs a public school system devoid of politics and political insinuations.
“A thorough investigation of the action by the Lagos school Principal will be carried out and anyone found culpable will be subjected to disciplinary measures as laid down in the civil service rules, ” Adefisayo added.
