Sign-Out: Why Ondo Withdrew WASSCE Results Of 17 Students

‎Blessing Bello, Reporting 

‎THE Ondo State Government has withheld the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and school testimonials of 17 graduating students following their involvement in a controversial “sign-out” celebration that went viral on social media.

‎The disciplinary action followed an emergency meeting convened by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with the management of the affected schools after videos emerged showing students tearing their school uniforms and chanting slogans considered inappropriate during celebrations marking the end of their examinations.

‎The affected students are from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School and CAC Grammar School, all in Akure.

‎According to the ministry, the students’ WASSCE results and official testimonials will be withheld indefinitely. Their names have also been entered into disciplinary records, described as a “black book”, with principals across the state directed to establish similar registers for future cases of misconduct.

‎The government also sanctioned school officials, issuing queries to senior officers over what it described as lapses in supervision.

‎In addition, authorities directed that any student identified in the viral footage who was not a graduating student should be expelled from school.

‎The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, said the state would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining discipline or tarnishing the reputation of its schools.

While acknowledging that students have the right to celebrate the completion of their examinations, he stressed that such celebrations must be conducted responsibly.