The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that students found guilty of physical assault causing bodily harm will face indefinite suspension from Unity Colleges across Nigeria.
The decision comes in response to rising cases of violence and bullying among students, according to a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary, Nasir Gwarzo, in Abuja.
The ministry described the situation as alarming cruel and inhuman acts of physical assault that inflict bodily injury on other students by fellow students or groups of students.
It also disclosed that any student or group of students found culpable of physical assault leading to bodily injury on another student or group of students will be suspended indefinitely from the college.
The ministry , however, instructed college administrators to strictly comply with the new directive.
It urged the college administrators to inform Student-Based Management Committee members and parents accordingly.
The statement read, “The attention of the ministry has been drawn to the cruel and inhuman acts of physical assault that inflict bodily injury on other students by fellow students or groups of students.
“In addition to the punishments in the ministry’s approved uniform guidelines for offences and punishments, the ministry has directed that henceforth, any student or group of students found culpable of physical assault leading to bodily injury on another student or group of students will be suspended indefinitely from the college.
“Ensure that you comply strictly with the content of this circular and inform the SBMC members and parents accordingly.
“College administrators have been instructed to strictly comply with the new directive and to inform Student-Based Management Committee members and parents accordingly.”
This punishment follows a recent incident shown in a viral video at the Federal Government College, Enugu, where 13 Senior Secondary School 1 students were accused of brutally assaulting a fellow student.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, then ordered the immediate suspension of the implicated students for six weeks to allow for a thorough investigation.
