Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu , on Friday, said strategies had been put in place to curb indiscipline and unruly behaviours amongst students.
Arigbabu disclosed this in Abeokuta, during the handover of a report by counselors engaged for students of Abeokuta Girls’ Grammar School, Onikolobo, who were caught smoking shisha towards the end of the first term.
He noted that the state government was determined to build and develope children that would be psychologically and mentally balanced, through its responsive approach to teaching and learning.
“Ogun state government is responsible and responsive when it comes to education and we are more interested in bringing up a psychologically and mentally balanced child.
“I am hopeful that the state will be able to curb indiscipline in our schools with all our interventions and laid down strategies,” he said.
Arigbabu said that the recommendations presented would be followed to the letter, adding that the essence of punishment is not to destroy but to correct and reform erring learners.
He reiterated that the ministry would continue to monitor the progress of the learners.
The commissioner, while underscoring the importance of counseling unit in schools, stated that government would ensure it is put in place to tackle such occurrences.
He said that for the learners to be totally transformed, there should be counseling session for their parents.
Speaking on behalf of the counselors, the State President of the All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Dr Ayodele Womiloju, said that they were able to identify the causes of the learners behaviour.
Womiloju said that solutions that would bring positive change on the learners had been mapped out.
She also pointed out that from the report submitted, there would be continued evaluative counseling that would help the learners in the post-incident coping strategies.
Womiloju advised parents not to be permissive in training their children but be responsible and available to give them the proper monitoring required.