The Ondo State government has rehabilitated some public secondary school students who were allegedly involved in activities that disrupted public peace during the recent end-of-school ‘sign-out’ celebrations in the state.
The rehabilitation programme, organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, announced this in Akure, the state capital.
Ajibefun said the rehabilitation aimed to correct negative behaviours and instil discipline and responsible conduct.
He noted that the initiative would also help the erring students understand the consequences of actions that threaten public safety and disrupt peace in society.
The Commissioner added that the rehabilitation programme was a novel approach, with the government deliberately choosing counselling over punitive measures that could negatively affect the students’ futures.
“What you have done has been totally forgiven because you have undergone the desired change, so we want you to continue to behave responsibly.
“Anywhere you find yourself, you are representing your family; you are representing Nigeria. Please behave well so that we can continue to be proud of you,” he told the students.
Ajibefun assured the students and their parents that their names had been removed from the ‘Black Book.’
He also stressed that their West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), previously withheld, would be released to them.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to inculcating discipline, the Commissioner said the Ministry would monitor the rehabilitated students to ensure good morals.
Ajibefun lauded officials from law enforcement and professional agencies who contributed to the success of the rehabilitation programme.
Director of Guidance and Counselling, Continuous Assessment and Evaluation in the Ministry, Mrs Olufunke Ademuyiwa, said the students were taken to the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital and the Correctional Centre in Akure for educational tours and counselling sessions with professionals.
Ademuyiwa added that the students had also shown significant positive changes and were already willing to help other young people make better choices.
She added that the four-week programme covered psycho-education, individual and group counselling, behavioural reflection and anger management.
Spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ondo State Command, Oyewole Adedayo, warned students against engaging in criminal activities that could lead to imprisonment.
He urged teachers to strengthen their monitoring of students and emphasised the important role of parents and the home in raising responsible children and adults.
The Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the State, Gabriel Folayemi, lauded all those who contributed to the success of the rehabilitation programme.
Represented by the Assistant State Commandant, Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Funmilayo Bamisaye, Folayemi reminded students that they had the power to make responsible choices about their actions and the peers they associated with.
He recommended establishing a platform where young people exhibiting similar behavioural traits could receive continuous mentoring as a preventive measure.
The Chief Medical Director of the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr Sunday Sajo, described the rehabilitation initiative as a welcome development.
He advised students to maintain close relationships with responsible older people who could provide guidance and mentorship.
Also speaking, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni recommended that schools regularly organise orientation and counselling programmes for students.
He further cautioned rehabilitated students against repeating the offences that led them to participate in the programme.