The Government of the State of Osun has warned those peddling misinformation about schools’ resumption in the State to desist from misleading the public.
Those found culpable of this offence may face sanctions, to the point of prosecution.
The Honorable Commissioner for Education in the State of Osun, Hon. Oladoyin Folorunsho, made this known in an interview today. He said that some peddlers of misinformation are already facing sanctions for their indiscretion.
Folorunsbo said that one of those involved in the misconduct was the Proprietor of a private school in Olorunda Local Government Area of the State and doubles as the Public Relations Officer for the National Association Proprietors of Private schools (NAPPS), Osun state chapter.
Folorunsho said: “The Federal Government had initially announced that the West Africa Examinations Council, WAEC, would begin its Ordinary Level examinations in August 2020, but that States should work out the modalities for students in graduating classes to revise in anticipation of their exams.
“In response to this, we called a stakeholders’ forum to deliberate and agree on the resumption protocols. The proposals derives from this forum was sent to the Governor for review and approval; but before approval could be given by the Governor, the schools’ reopening proposal ended up on many whatsapp groups in the State.”
Folorunsho, who disclosed that the culprit has been arrested and detained by the order of the State Government, said that the man was principally guilty of leaking official secrets to stampede schools within his circle to resume.
He added that: “In addition to leaking official secrets, the culprit also misguided the public by using the name of the Ministry of Education and the State Government to launder unapproved funds.
“He requested for the payment of Five Thousand Naira as part of the resumption protocols, adding that the Ministry of Education ratified it. That is not fair. The Ministry did not give such directive and is not part of any arrangement to extort unsuspecting stakeholders”.
Folorunsho called on the public to disregard the unauthorized and misleading actions, while also warning peddlers of misinformation to desist from behaviours that sabotages the government’s efforts.
Folorunsho enjoined stakeholders to await the directives from the State Government with respect to the date and guidelines for the reopening of schools.
