A Junior Secondary School Student of Odomola Secondary School, Miss Marvellous Barinaadaa, Lagos state has been sent home by the school principal for allegedly wrapping her books with the poster of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
The student’s mother who took to social media to lament the situation, appealed to Nigerians to come to the family’s rescue, saying the girl was apolitical and just 10 years old.
Part of the message sighted shared by the mother read: “This is to inform you all, that my daughter, Marvelous Barinaadaa, was exited from Odomola Secondary School today 14th March 2023, by the principal, just because my daughter used Peter Obi’s poster paper to wrap her notebook for school.
“And this girl is just ten years old. She didn’t know anything about politics, but she was sent away from school without informing the parents because they say we support Peter Obi and Labour Party.
“Please, is this act by the principal good? See what the school principal wrote in that letter. And after we will say we are one Nigeria.”
She also alleged that the family had suffered a lot because of their perceived support for Obi.
‘Not true’
However, the President of Odomola Secondary School Old Students Association, OSSOSA, Epe, Apagun Saka Shola, stated that the JSS2 student was sent home for allegedly causing nuisance and distraction through the distribution of posters of Obi in the classroom.
He noted that the move by the principal was to curtail the nuisance being caused by the student in sharing the posters with other students.
His words: “I have been able to reach the principal. The issue circulating is far from the truth.
“There is a directive to stop all forms of campaign in the classroom. As some political parties use the students to campaign in class.
“The principal did not expel or suspend the student. She sent her home for causing havoc and disturbance in the class during recess by chatting and sharing LP posters to her mates.
“Again, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is on the issue,” OSSOSA President said.
However, calls and text message sent to the contact purported to be that of the principal were neither acknowledged nor responded to at the time of filling this report.
Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, has directed the State Ministry of Education to commence investigation into the complaint of a parent whose child was sent out of school for using the poster of one of the contestants in the last election to wrap his books.
The incident was reported to have happened at Odomola Junior Secondary School, Epe area of the state, when the ten-year-old student was sent out of the school for wrapping her books with Peter Obi’s poster.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, who announced the measure on Wednesday, said the governor has approved the recall of the principal, who will be asked to explain the incident.
“The Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Education and all its agencies will never instruct any school principal, personnel or teacher to act in such a manner,” Adefisayo stated.
The commissioner, reassured the public that “the matter would be dealt with within the scope of our strict regulations as the reason for sending home the student is unacceptable – if true. “
Adefisayo, also stated that another school principal at Odonguyan who was caught on camera, as shared on social media, promoting her political choice to the students has been subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures.
“The Ministry promotes and runs a public school system devoid of politics and political insinuations.
