Kwara State Government Orders Immediate Closure of Two Secondary Schools in Ilorin Amid Rising Student Unrest
The Kwara State Government has taken a decisive step to address ongoing disturbances in two prominent secondary schools in Ilorin by ordering their immediate closure. Both Government High School and Government Day Secondary School, located in the Adeta area of Ilorin, have been shut down with immediate effect following repeated incidents of student unrest that have severely disrupted learning activities and damaged school property.
This important development was officially announced on Wednesday, May 14, through a statement issued by Peter Amogbonjaye, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development in Kwara State. The statement came in the wake of several violent clashes among students at these schools, which had escalated to a point where the regular academic calendar was jeopardized, and valuable school infrastructure was vandalized.
The decision to close the schools was strongly supported by the State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe. According to the statement, Dr. Olohungbebe emphasized that the closure was a necessary measure to restore order within the schools and to guarantee the safety of all students, staff members, and the school facilities themselves. He expressed the government’s concern over the safety risks posed by the unrest and reiterated the need to create a peaceful and secure learning environment.
In his words, “Students who are involved in the SSSCE examinations are enjoined to always put on their identification cards while coming to the school premises and urged parents and guardians to allow their children and wards to stay with them at home.” This instruction highlights the government’s priority to protect students who are currently sitting for their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE), ensuring they can complete their exams without disruption or danger.
The government also made it clear that during this closure period, only students who are actively participating in the SSSCE examinations, along with their teachers, will be allowed access to the school premises. This limited access is designed to safeguard the integrity of the examination process and provide a focused environment for those students preparing to complete their secondary education.
Furthermore, the Commissioner issued a stern warning that any student found violating the closure directive would be apprehended by security officers. This underscores the government’s resolve to enforce the closure strictly and to take appropriate action against any breach of the order, thereby maintaining discipline and security within the schools.
In conclusion, the Kwara State Government reiterated its firm commitment to upholding discipline, safety, and a conducive learning atmosphere across all public schools within the state. The government recognizes that such measures, though tough, are essential to preserving the quality of education and ensuring that students can learn in an environment free from violence and disruption.
