The Edo State Government has rolled out its monitoring initiatives across schools in the state for the new 2022/2023 academic session. Under the ‘It’s School O’clock’ program, led by Commissioner for Education Joan Osa-Oviawe, the state is cracking down on out-of-school children and ensuring teacher compliance across all educational institutions.
The stern directive from the state governor mandates the arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians of children found loitering during school hours. Osa-Oviawe, addressing the media in Benin City, emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance approach towards truancy, stating that any child caught idle during school hours will face consequences, including parental responsibility.
She said, “In accordance with the directive of Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Ministry of Education will begin the enforcement of the arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians of out-of-school children tomorrow, Monday, September 12, 2022, when the new academic calendar begins.
“To ensure that any parents whose children or wards are seen hawking or loitering on streets during school hours are tried and penalized accordingly, Ministry officials will be stationed at various sites around the state to enforce compliance to the new instruction.”
Expressing satisfaction with the level of compliance observed during school inspections, Osa-Oviawe commended the efforts of teachers and school administrators in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness.
The state government has also pledged to revamp school infrastructure through a comprehensive clean-up plan, encompassing weed removal, demolition of dilapidated structures, and waste management systems implementation.
Applauding the governor’s commitment to improving the education sector, Osa-Oviawe highlighted the recent training initiatives for teachers and school principals, culminating in the upskilling of over 5000 education personnel within a short span of time. school.”