Ife Riot: Osun Expels Culprits, Reopens Schools

By Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

After four months of closure of schools caused by students’ unrest, the Osun State Government yesterday announced the immediate reopening of four secondary schools located within Ile Ife metropolis namely; Oduduwa High School, St. Davids High School, St Johns High School and Seventh-Day Adventist High School.

The government also announced the expulsion of the students found culpable in the rampage which led to the wanton destruction of government property in the four schools and the Osun-owned Broadcasting Corporation, Orisun F.M, Ile Ife.

Some public school students had last year protested the non-payment of their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees by government and attacked the broadcasting station.

Seven of the protesters were later arrested and arraigned before a magistrate court. While two of them were remanded in prison custody, others were taken to a corrective centre in Osogbo.

Stating its decision on the schools in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Festus Olajide in Osogbo, the government noted that it took the decision after various meetings held with the teachers and parents of students of the affected schools.

The statement also noted that students of the affected schools were to pay reparation fee for the damage done during the unrest, adding that arrangement was in place to ensure they complied with the directive.

Parents, guardians and students are also to sign a code of conduct to be of good behaviour as a condition precedent to the resumption of the students in any of the four Schools.

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