The Principal of Methodist Girl’s High School,Ifaki Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State has been suspended from work for being absent from duty when Ekiti State Governor Fayemi came visiting.
All Schools across the country have been shut since March in a bid to stop or reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus disease in Africa’s most populous country.
However, some prohibitions are being gradually relaxed. Federal and state governments have allowed students of exit classes like Primary 6 and SSS3 to return to the classrooms just so they could prepare for their final tests or exams.
Governor Fayemi ordered the reopening of schools in Ekiti from Monday, August 9 and engaged on an inspection tour of some of the schools that had reopened to have an appropriate feel of safety measures and health protocols.
The Assistant Director of Information in the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Kunle Adeniyi, told the press afterwards that the school principal was given the marching orders for not being present as the governor visited.
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This, he said, was an act of defiance and insubordination.
“Prior to the reopening of the schools for SSS3 Students in the state, His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi made on-the-spot assessment to some public secondary schools across the state in accordance with COVID-19 protocols,” Adeniyi said.
“Accompanying His Excellency on the visit were the Hon Commissioner for Education Science and Technology , Mr Foluso Daramola , the Chairman, Task Force on COVID-19, Professor Bolaji Aluko and other top government functionaries.
“At Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki Ekiti , the principal was not present to receive the governor and his entourage and made the inspection exercise impossible in the school in spite of the notice from the Ministry of Education Science and Technology.
“Arising from this ignorant behaviour, the Honorable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology directed that the principal should hand over the management of the school to the most senior vice principal in the school and should go on suspension with immediate effect pending the conclusion of adequate disciplinary action by the Teaching Service Commission.”
Universities and other classes in primary and secondary schools are still shut nationwide; as state and federal governments deliberate over whether to leave them shut throughout 2020 or enforce strict safety guidelines ahead of reopening.
