With cases of teachers been attacked by students and parents frequently and which has allegedly led to the death of a secondary school teacher recently, the Delta State government, through the Ministry of Education (Technical), yesterday, said it will henceforth expel any student who posed a threat to teachers and the school.
The State Commissioner for Technical Education, Joan Onyemaechi, who dropped the hint while meeting with principals and staff of Model Technical Colleges in Effurun and Obiaruku, said the Ministry has what it takes to discipline students against any unruly behaviour, and advised them to desist from any forms of deviant character.
Onyemaechi, however, urged teachers to devise constructive ways in handling unruly students by applying wisdom and maturity in their day to day dealings with students’ issues.
“When a child is disobedient, the teacher should make an official complaint to the ministry through the principal in place of capital punishment. I am not saying you cannot discipline a child, rather I am looking at the options of discipline.
“Times have changed and teachers should adjust to the changing times, and mentor the students, then de-emphasised the use of force, and not to apply force with force, because we cannot quench fire with fire,” she added.
The commissioner pleaded with the teachers to help the students who are willing to take corrections and learn. Responding, the principal of Government Technical College Effurun, Mr. Austin Mogbolu, assured the commissioner that due process will be followed at resolving issues with students at all times. Mogbolu thanked the commissioner and her team for ensuring a safe and conducive work environment for them.