The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has sanctioned 17 students captured in a viral “sign-out” video that sparked outrage across social media following the completion of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The students, drawn from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School and CAC Grammar School, were seen in the widely circulated video engaging in unruly conduct, including tearing school uniforms and chanting inappropriate slogans during post-examination celebrations.
The disciplinary action was announced after an emergency meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Akure, where education officials and school administrators reviewed the incident and agreed on measures aimed at curbing indiscipline in schools.
Among the sanctions imposed, the Ministry directed that the official testimonials and WASSCE results of the 17 identified students be withheld until further notice. Their names are also to be entered into the “black book” of their respective schools.
In addition, principals across the state have been instructed to establish misconduct registers, while senior officers in the affected schools have been issued official queries for allegedly failing to provide adequate supervision and allowing the celebrations to spiral into disorder.
The Ministry further ordered the immediate expulsion of any non-final-year students found participating in the incident.
Speaking after the disciplinary hearing, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the government would not tolerate actions capable of undermining discipline and the reputation of the state’s education system.
“While celebrations are understandable, they must be conducted within acceptable limits. We cannot allow years of discipline and moral values in our schools to be eroded for the sake of social media attention,” he said.
Ajibefun warned that the growing sign-out culture among secondary school students must be guided by decency and responsibility, stressing that the government would continue to protect the integrity of educational institutions across the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, urged school principals to promptly report signs of unrest to Zonal Education Offices and the Ministry to prevent future occurrences.
Parents and students involved in the incident have been summoned to the Ministry to receive their official punishment letters, as the government insists the sanctions will serve as a strong deterrent against similar acts in the future.
