Ondo sanctions, withholds WAEC results of 17 students over ‘sign-out’ misconduct

The Ondo State Government has indefinitely withheld the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and school testimonials of 17 graduating students due to their chaotic and unruly behavior during a viral “sign-out” celebration.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting convened by the State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology following public outrage over the incident.

According to the Ministry, the students are from three schools: Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas College and CAC Grammar School, all in Akure.

The students were captured in viral TikTok and Facebook videos tearing their school uniforms, causing public chaos, and chanting inappropriate slogans in the Akure metropolis after writing their final papers.

Disciplinary measures were announced after an emergency meeting between ministry officials and administrators of the affected schools at the ministry’s headquarters in Akure.

According to the ministry, official testimonials and WASSCE results of the 17 students identified in the video have been withheld indefinitely.

Their names will be entered into a newly established “black book” for student misconduct in their respective schools.

Principals across the state were directed to create similar records for disciplinary infractions.

Senior officers in the affected schools were also issued queries for alleged lapses in supervision that allowed the celebrations to degenerate into disorder.

The ministry further ordered the immediate expulsion of any student featured in the video who is not in the graduating class.

Commissioner for Education Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun said the government would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining discipline and the reputation of schools.

Ajibefun said that “While celebrating academic milestones is natural, the growing sign-out culture among secondary school students must be guided by decency.

“We will not fold our arms and watch the discipline we have painstakingly instilled in our schools be eroded for the sake of social media clout,” he said.

Ajibefun added that the government is determined to protect the integrity of the state’s education system.

The Permanent Secretary Dr Akindele Ige urged principals to report disruptive incidents to Zonal Education Offices before they escalate.

Parents and affected students have been summoned to the ministry to receive official letters conveying the sanctions.