The house of Representatives has condemn the recent incidences of inhumane treatment and abuses happening in boarding schools across Nigeria.
This was sequel to a motion by a member from Akwa Ibom state Idem Uyinme, at plenary.
The lawmaker expressed concern that bullying and other forms of maltreatment has become an ugly trend in the nation’s boarding schools.
According to him there were several incidences of killings and abnormal behaviors in boarding schools across the country that were not investigated by relevant authorities.
Mr Uyinme stated that the recent incident in a private school in Lagos that led to the death of a twelve year old student makes it compulsory for the federal government to launch a national campaign to stop the ugly trend.
He said;” The national campaign should include advocacy, public sensitization and social mobilization, as it will take the joint effort of government, school management and parents to curb ugly happenings in our boarding schools.”
Contributing to the debate, a member from Anambra state, Odimma Chidoka, stressed the need for the house to mandate the inspector general of police to investigate cases of abuses and molestation in boarding schools across the country and punish the culprits.
A member from Lagos state, Ibrahim Obanikoro, in who’s constituency the latest Bowen school incident took place, said the newly created safety standards committee on education should conduct a review of safety regulations and guidelines in public schools.
For Mr Kolade Akinjo, from Ondo State, regulatory agencies should be up and doing in their responsibilities of regulating the activities of private schools in the country.
Adopting the motion, the house urged the Federal ministry of education to set up guidelines for the operations of boarding schools across the country.
It mandated the IGP to take over the investigation, prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators of the identified heinous crimes.
The house also mandated the house committees on education, youths development, women affairs and that of social development to follow up with the investigation.
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