The Niger State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Hadiza Mohammed, has vowed to take disciplinary action against the teachers of a primary school pupil caught in a viral video using vulgar and inappropriate language during a school debate.
In a trending video, the pupil, who identified himself as AbdulKabir AbdulKadir of Kasim Primary Agaie, prayed lightning to strike leaders causing untold hardship to Nigerians.
The pupil who was opposing mandatory voting in Nigeria said the votes of the people no longer count due to the country’s corrupt judicial system, electoral officials, and use of force by security agencies to rig elections for ruling parties.
He added that forcing people to vote undermines the principle of democracy, which guarantees freedom of choice and personal liberty.
But in a statement issued by the spokesman of the ministry, Jibrin Usman-Kodo, said such action is not only unacceptable but also goes against the values of respect and decorum.
The statement read: “The Niger State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has expressed deep concern over the recent incident involving the use of vulgar and violent language in a school debate by a pupil.
“The reaction of the ministry is rooted on a video circulating on social media, showing a primary school pupil using inappropriate language during a debate competition in one of the schools in Niger State.
“The ministry observed with dismay the disturbing content of the video, where it was evident that the student had been coached to use violence and vulgar language in his presentation.
“Such behaviour is not only unacceptable by the Ministry but also goes against the values of respect and decorum that should be upheld in educational settings.
“The Ministry, under the leadership of the Hon. Commissioner, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, emphasised the importance of promoting a positive and respectful learning environment for students and pupils at their formative age, the use of vulgar and violent languages not only reflects poor orientation for the individual pupil but also on the school and the educational system as a whole.
“In view of the foregoing, the Commissioner, has vowed to investigate the incident further and take appropriate disciplinary action against those responsible for coaching the student to use such language.”
Mrs Mohammed, therefore, urged schools to reinforce the importance of proper conduct among students, both in and out of the classroom.
She added that the ministry remains committed to upholding high standards of behaviour and academic excellence in schools and will not tolerate any form of behaviour that undermines these principles.
