The Ministry of Education has announced a tough stance on student violence, warning that any student found guilty of physical assault resulting in bodily injury will face indefinite suspension from Unity Colleges.
In a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary, Nasir Gwarzo, the ministry expressed concern over the alarming rise in student-on-student violence, particularly incidents of physical assault leading to serious harm. The memo highlighted the ministry’s commitment to eradicating such behavior within federal colleges.
The new directive comes in response to a disturbing video that surfaced on social media showing a group of students bullying a fellow student at the Federal Government College in Enugu. As a result, 13 students from Senior Secondary School 1 were suspended for six weeks on November 7, 2024, to allow for a full investigation into the incident.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, emphasized the ministry’s zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and violence in schools, noting that such actions would no longer be tolerated. “The ministry has decided to take decisive action in response to the increasing reports of cruelty and violence in schools,” the memo stated.
The new guidelines specify that students involved in physical assaults leading to injury will now face indefinite suspension from Unity Colleges, alongside other existing punishments for violent behavior. The ministry has instructed school administrators to ensure strict enforcement of this directive and to inform the Student-Based Management Committees (SBMC) and parents about the updated policy.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address bullying and improve student safety across public and private educational institutions in the country.
