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Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Last week’s viral video of the bullying of an SS1 student by a group of SS3 students of the Federal Government College Enugu revealed the failure of the school management in taking charge of minors entrusted into their care.
According to insider stories from the college, the assaulted SS1 day student allegedly brought and smoked marijuana in the classroom and was arrested by the senior students, some of who were also said to be day students.
They dragged the SS1 student into the hostel, during class hours, where they bullied and assaulted him as was seen in the viral video.
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November 16, 2024
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Last week’s viral video of the bullying of an SS1 student by a group of SS3 students of the Federal Government College Enugu revealed the failure of the school management in taking charge of minors entrusted into their care.
According to insider stories from the college, the assaulted SS1 day student allegedly brought and smoked marijuana in the classroom and was arrested by the senior students, some of who were also said to be day students.
They dragged the SS1 student into the hostel, during class hours, where they bullied and assaulted him as was seen in the viral video.
The video was just one of the several cases of abuse that allegedly takes place in the school. Insider information has it that several junior students had complained about how their food provisions are usually taken away from them forcefully by the senior students. An SS1 day student, who was accosted on Tuesday by our reporter while he was coming home from school, said that he also escaped from a similar bullying by a senior student who alleged that he did not greet him while passing by.
Even though the principal of the college whose name was only ascertained as Mrs. Takerhi was not always available for comments in the college, she reportedly chaired a board meeting, last week Friday, when the assault reportedly took place. The college is accused of overpopulation with over 60 students per class. JSS1, for instance, is said to have up to 11 classes (JS1 A to JS1 K).
The admission process is another source of worry to parents whose wards score high in the entrance examination but would not make the merit list because those who score lower marks claimed to come from certain “educationally disadvantaged states take their slots.” The parents allege that they would finally pay money to secure admissions for their wards in the college.
One of the biggest problems in the FGC Enugu is hostel accommodation, especially for the boys. The school made it mandatory that every student on admission must pay for hostel fees and most students are not in the boarding house. The school has also refused that parents who want to withdraw their wards from the hostel should stop paying hostel fees. Parents therefore continue to pay for the hostel fees but their children come from homes.
It was gathered that the reason why students are scared of being in the boarding house is because of the living conditions in those hostels. For instance, the assault video exposed that most of the beds in the hostel are without mattresses and even those with mattresses were not dressed at a time the students were supposed to be out of the hostel and in their classes. Students don’t have cupboards because of frequent robbery, bullying and impunity being committed by some senior students as the one in the video. Stories have it that most borders hide their personal items in the classroom ceilings.
”The rate of stealing in FGC Enugu is unprecedented. More worrisome on the viral video was that the incident took place in the hostel during class hours. How come the students gained entrance into the hostels during class hours whereas there were hostel wardens who the students call ‘wordoo’ and are supposed to be supervising the hostels. I learnt that hostels don’t have protected windows,” a parent lamented.
Water is another big issue in the college. Though the Alumni of the college tried to drill a borehole, the topography of Enugu worked against the effort of having sustainable and reliable water in the college. The lack of water therefore results in many students taking ill due to poor sanitation. The drinking water tanks are also reportedly not washed, hence water-borne infections are common among some students.ME
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November 16, 2024
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Last week’s viral video of the bullying of an SS1 student by a group of SS3 students of the Federal Government College Enugu revealed the failure of the school management in taking charge of minors entrusted into their care.
According to insider stories from the college, the assaulted SS1 day student allegedly brought and smoked marijuana in the classroom and was arrested by the senior students, some of who were also said to be day students.
They dragged the SS1 student into the hostel, during class hours, where they bullied and assaulted him as was seen in the viral video.
The video was just one of the several cases of abuse that allegedly takes place in the school. Insider information has it that several junior students had complained about how their food provisions are usually taken away from them forcefully by the senior students. An SS1 day student, who was accosted on Tuesday by our reporter while he was coming home from school, said that he also escaped from a similar bullying by a senior student who alleged that he did not greet him while passing by.
Even though the principal of the college whose name was only ascertained as Mrs. Takerhi was not always available for comments in the college, she reportedly chaired a board meeting, last week Friday, when the assault reportedly took place. The college is accused of overpopulation with over 60 students per class. JSS1, for instance, is said to have up to 11 classes (JS1 A to JS1 K).
The admission process is another source of worry to parents whose wards score high in the entrance examination but would not make the merit list because those who score lower marks claimed to come from certain “educationally disadvantaged states take their slots.” The parents allege that they would finally pay money to secure admissions for their wards in the college.
One of the biggest problems in the FGC Enugu is hostel accommodation, especially for the boys. The school made it mandatory that every student on admission must pay for hostel fees and most students are not in the boarding house. The school has also refused that parents who want to withdraw their wards from the hostel should stop paying hostel fees. Parents therefore continue to pay for the hostel fees but their children come from homes.
It was gathered that the reason why students are scared of being in the boarding house is because of the living conditions in those hostels. For instance, the assault video exposed that most of the beds in the hostel are without mattresses and even those with mattresses were not dressed at a time the students were supposed to be out of the hostel and in their classes. Students don’t have cupboards because of frequent robbery, bullying and impunity being committed by some senior students as the one in the video. Stories have it that most borders hide their personal items in the classroom ceilings.
”The rate of stealing in FGC Enugu is unprecedented. More worrisome on the viral video was that the incident took place in the hostel during class hours. How come the students gained entrance into the hostels during class hours whereas there were hostel wardens who the students call ‘wordoo’ and are supposed to be supervising the hostels. I learnt that hostels don’t have protected windows,” a parent lamented.
Water is another big issue in the college. Though the Alumni of the college tried to drill a borehole, the topography of Enugu worked against the effort of having sustainable and reliable water in the college. The lack of water therefore results in many students taking ill due to poor sanitation. The drinking water tanks are also reportedly not washed, hence water-borne infections are common among some students.
”Feeding is another aspect that is a pathetic story from the school. Truth is that a substantial number of boarders don’t go to the refectory most of the time because of the poor quality of food being given to them. Those students are sustained by the provisions their parents buy for them. Academics is where most parents have confidence because it’s believed the school has qualified teachers, yet the students complain that they don’t finish their curriculum in most terms.ME
NEWS
ONDO DECIDES
POLITICS
METRO
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November 16, 2024
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Inside FGC Enugu: The bullies, the rot
Last week’s viral video of the bullying of an SS1 student by a group of SS3 students of the Federal Government College Enugu revealed the failure of the school management in taking charge of minors entrusted into their care.
According to insider stories from the college, the assaulted SS1 day student allegedly brought and smoked marijuana in the classroom and was arrested by the senior students, some of who were also said to be day students.
They dragged the SS1 student into the hostel, during class hours, where they bullied and assaulted him as was seen in the viral video.
The video was just one of the several cases of abuse that allegedly takes place in the school. Insider information has it that several junior students had complained about how their food provisions are usually taken away from them forcefully by the senior students. An SS1 day student, who was accosted on Tuesday by our reporter while he was coming home from school, said that he also escaped from a similar bullying by a senior student who alleged that he did not greet him while passing by.
Even though the principal of the college whose name was only ascertained as Mrs. Takerhi was not always available for comments in the college, she reportedly chaired a board meeting, last week Friday, when the assault reportedly took place. The college is accused of overpopulation with over 60 students per class. JSS1, for instance, is said to have up to 11 classes (JS1 A to JS1 K).
The admission process is another source of worry to parents whose wards score high in the entrance examination but would not make the merit list because those who score lower marks claimed to come from certain “educationally disadvantaged states take their slots.” The parents allege that they would finally pay money to secure admissions for their wards in the college.
One of the biggest problems in the FGC Enugu is hostel accommodation, especially for the boys. The school made it mandatory that every student on admission must pay for hostel fees and most students are not in the boarding house. The school has also refused that parents who want to withdraw their wards from the hostel should stop paying hostel fees. Parents therefore continue to pay for the hostel fees but their children come from homes.
It was gathered that the reason why students are scared of being in the boarding house is because of the living conditions in those hostels. For instance, the assault video exposed that most of the beds in the hostel are without mattresses and even those with mattresses were not dressed at a time the students were supposed to be out of the hostel and in their classes. Students don’t have cupboards because of frequent robbery, bullying and impunity being committed by some senior students as the one in the video. Stories have it that most borders hide their personal items in the classroom ceilings.
”The rate of stealing in FGC Enugu is unprecedented. More worrisome on the viral video was that the incident took place in the hostel during class hours. How come the students gained entrance into the hostels during class hours whereas there were hostel wardens who the students call ‘wordoo’ and are supposed to be supervising the hostels. I learnt that hostels don’t have protected windows,” a parent lamented.
Water is another big issue in the college. Though the Alumni of the college tried to drill a borehole, the topography of Enugu worked against the effort of having sustainable and reliable water in the college. The lack of water therefore results in many students taking ill due to poor sanitation. The drinking water tanks are also reportedly not washed, hence water-borne infections are common among some students.
”Feeding is another aspect that is a pathetic story from the school. Truth is that a substantial number of boarders don’t go to the refectory most of the time because of the poor quality of food being given to them. Those students are sustained by the provisions their parents buy for them. Academics is where most parents have confidence because it’s believed the school has qualified teachers, yet the students complain that they don’t finish their curriculum in most terms.
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”There is a lack of diligent supervision of the teachers when compared to private schools. Again, the school is filled with NYSC members as teachers and they don’t have the requisite experience of teaching practice methodology. The role of PTA (Parents Teachers Association) in the school is obviously one that needs to be reviewed. It’s usually more politics, power struggle for positions and allegations of embezzlement of PTA levy more than intervention on critical matters of the college,” the parent said.
In his response to the latest development in the school, the PTA Chairman, Mr. Chinedu Mba said that at the time of the incident, the PTA security guards had not resumed their duties. He encouraged parents to counsel their children against engaging in nefarious activities.
The Enugu State Government in its reaction condemned the bullying and physical assault on the SS1 student, describing the incident as deeply troubling and emotionally distressing. The State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah said that the state government prioritizes the safety and welfare of students in the state.
”The Enugu State Government has zero tolerance for bullying and abuse in our schools. The safety and welfare of our students are paramount. Government is resolved to prosecute culprits who engage in the criminal behavior of physical assault against students. Such immoral behavior has no place in our academic environments and those who tread that part must be ready to face the consequences,” Mbah said.The Federal ministry of Education, through the Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa in a reaction suspended for six weeks 13 students of the college identified to have been involved in the assault of a fellow student. The federal government assured parents, guardians, and the general public that all necessary actions will be taken to restore peace and ensure the protection of students at the college.
”To address the incident, the Federal Ministry of Education has directed the School- Based Management Committee (SBMC) to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, including possible affiliations with external groups. Immediate measures have been implemented to enhance security at the College by engaging law enforcement and reviewing existing safety protocols. Additionally, counseling and rehabilitation support will be provided to address all forms of problems while promoting their reintegration into a positive school environment,” Alausa assured.
Source :Vanguard
