EDO: Any child not in school to be arrested; parents, guardians to face trial

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that the government will start the arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians of out-of-school children from the next academic session beginning on Monday, September 12, 2022.

The governor spoke to journalists in Benin on Monday ahead of schools’ resumption, adding that machinery had been put in place for the enforcement.

He said the government had partnered with the state’s judiciary to set up special courts designed for the prosecution of perpetrators of sexual and physical abuses against children in schools across the state.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to guaranteeing the care, protection and wellbeing of every citizen in the state.

Obaseki noted: “If we find any child under the age of 18 years being used for manual labour, such parents will be prosecuted. We thank the Chief Judge for providing special courts which will be used to prosecute any offender who perpetrates violence against any child or involves in sexual defilement or physical abuse in our school system.

“From September 12, when school resumes, any child found loitering or hawking during school hours will be arrested and the parents or guardians will be prosecuted and seriously dealt with. We have specially trained people to observe and watch over our children to ensure no child is abused in Edo State.

Read also: 10m Nigerian kids, 60% girls are out of school —UNICEF laments

“School resumes on Monday, September 12, 2022 and teaching must commence the same day. I will send out a special squad to monitor schools across the state; I will also monitor the schools myself, alongside with the Commissioner of Education”

Obaseki also said that his administration would work towards the building of dilapidated schools in the state, stressing conducive learning environment for learners.

“We will emphasize the environment our children learn as we need to secure the environment where our children learn. We will be spending a lot of resources to ensure no child seats on the ground to learn. By the time the Commissioner of Education will be completing her term, no Edo child should sit on the ground to learn”, he added.

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