Ondo Govt Denies Authorising N8,000 Blood Test In School

The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has disowned an alleged blood-testing exercise reportedly conducted at CAC Adu Memorial Grammar School, Oke-Aro, Akure.

The ministry said it neither authorised nor approved the exercise, stressing that school principals were not empowered to organise such activities or impose related financial charges on students without approval from the appropriate authorities.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Bisi Lawani, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

“The ministry wishes to state categorically that it did not authorise, approve or direct the said blood-testing exercise,” the statement said.

The ministry also expressed concern over allegations that students were required to pay N8,000 for the exercise.

It said no policy had been approved requiring students in public schools to pay such an amount for blood testing, adding that any such collection would have been carried out without its authorisation.

“It further emphasises that no school principal is empowered to organise such an exercise or impose any related financial charge on students without the requisite approval from the appropriate authorities,” the ministry said.

The ministry said it had been informed of the reported involvement of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in the matter.

According to the statement, the NSCDC is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged exercise and establish the facts.

The ministry directed school principals and administrators to comply with approved government policies, regulations and directives.

It said principals must maintain proper oversight of activities within their schools and ensure that unauthorised actions do not take place on school premises.

The ministry also warned against unauthorised financial charges and activities capable of undermining public confidence in the state’s education system.

It urged parents, guardians, students and members of the public to report suspected irregularities and unauthorised collections in public schools to the appropriate authorities.

The ministry assured the public that appropriate administrative and legal action would be taken against any officer found culpable if the allegations were established after investigation.

It reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting students’ welfare, promoting transparency and accountability in public schools and maintaining the integrity of the education system.