Osogbo—The government of Osun State said it will not relent in its various reforms until violence is completely rooted out of its public schools institutions.
It said part of the rot created by the long years of abandoned education sector in the state is that schools had become breeding grounds for gangsters rather than well-groomed individuals.
The government stated this in the wake of the reported reckless display of violence by some misguided pupils of two state-owned schools at the state capital Osogbo, last week.
In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, the government said ugly incidents such as which happened at the Anglican High School and Adele Middle School both in Osogbo were part of the ugly results of long years of neglect of the education sector, a development which created ample opportunities for irresponsible conducts of pupils.
The statement recalled that Governor Rauf Aregbesola had, at the official unveiling of the first mega high school in the state, lamented what he called a deplorable situation in public education institutions, which had constituted breach of the peace to the entire community in the past.
“Recall that when the government commissioned the Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo Governor Rauf Aregbesola made no mistake admitting that the old school system and outlook encouraged pupils to behave almost like animals.
“What happened last week was just part of the remnants of the culture of violence inherited in our schools five years ago and which this administration has battled vigorously. It could have been worse. But the dogged pursuit of excellence in character moulding and academic brilliance under the present administration in the education sector has stemmed the tide and we are not relenting until we stamp out the last instance of anti-social behaviour in our schools,” the statement noted
