2. Education Minister Vows Zero Tolerance for Exam Malpractice, Orders Arrest of Parents Who Hired Thugs

By Ikpommwosa Odigie

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to parents and guardians across the country, declaring that anyone found complicit in examination malpractice or involved in the intimidation of school officials will henceforth face prosecution.

This was made known by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunde Alausa, in a statement released on Monday. The Minister condemned in strong terms the recent assault on the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College, Akure, Ondo State, during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

According to reports, thugs allegedly hired by the parents of a student caught cheating in an examination attacked the Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, for performing his lawful duty of enforcing examination regulations.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice, intimidation of school personnel, and all unethical conduct involving students, parents, or guardians.

“The Federal Ministry of Education strongly condemns the unfortunate incident that occurred at Complete Child Development College, Aule, Akure, Ondo State, where suspected thugs, allegedly hired by the parents of a student, assaulted the Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, for upholding the integrity of the ongoing WASSCE,” the statement read.

The Minister praised the swift intervention of the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and the Ondo State Police Command, which resulted in the arrest of Mrs. Dorcas Asije and four others connected to the incident.

Dr. Alausa called for a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of everyone involved in the attack, stressing that such action would serve as a deterrent to others.

“Any parent or guardian who enables, supports, or participates in such criminal behaviour will be prosecuted. This administration will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s education system,” he declared.

The Minister further directed all schools across the country to immediately report any threats, intimidation, or breaches of examination regulations to law enforcement agencies and the appropriate educational authorities.

He urged school administrators and teachers to remain vigilant and to work in close partnership with security agencies and state ministries of education to guarantee a safe, credible, and malpractice-free examination environment.

“The Federal Ministry of Education stands firmly with the management and staff of Complete Child Development College, and by extension, all education stakeholders nationwide, who continue to uphold the values of discipline, accountability, and academic excellence while resisting examination malpractice,” the statement concluded.

The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation from education advocates and community leaders who have called for decisive action against the perpetrators to protect the sanctity of the country’s examination system.