The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, on Monday ordered the suspension of a secondary school principal over his absence at the school reopening inspection tour conducted by the governor on Sunday.
The state government viewed the school head’s absence as an act of insubordination.
Mr Fayemi had visited some schools on Sunday to assess the level of preparedness ahead of the resumption of SS3 students on Monday.
But the principal of Methodist Girls’ High School, Ifaki Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State was not on ground to receive the governor.
Schools have been shut down since April over the COVID-19 pandemic under the stay-at-home order issued by the federal and state governments.
However, with the easing of the lockdown on economic and social activities, Mr Fayemi had announced the reopening of schools from Monday, August 9.
This would allow SSS 3 students to prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination commencing on Monday, August 17.
A statement by the Assistant Director, Information, Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Kunle Adeniyi, on Monday, conveyed the disciplinary action.
“Sequel to the reopening of the schools for SSS3 Students in the State, His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi made on -the- spot assessment to some Public Secondary Schools across the state in compliance with COVID-19 protocols,” the statement read
“Accompanying His Excellency on the visit were the Hon Commissioner for Education Science and Technology , Mr Foluso Daramola , the Chairman ,Task Force on COVID-19 , Professor Bolaji Aluko and other top Government functionaries.
“At Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki Ekiti , the Principal was not available to receive the Governor and his entourage and made the monitoring exercise impossible in the school in spite of the notice from the Ministry of Education Science and Technology.
“Arising from this defiant behaviour, the Honorable Commissioner for Education Science and Technology has directed that the Principal should hand over the management of the school to the most Senior Vice Principal in the school and proceed on suspension with immediate effect pending the conclusion of appropriate disciplinary action by the Teaching Service Commission.”
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