The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has dissociated itself from an alleged blood-testing exercise conducted at CAC Adu Memorial Grammar School, Oke-Aro, Akure.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Ministry, Bisi Lawani, on Tuesday in Akure.

The ministry was reacting to reports that the school management organised a mandatory blood test for students at a cost of N8,000 each.

The ministry stated that it did not authorise, approve, or direct any such medical exercise, adding that no school administrator possessed the mandate to impose financial levies on students without official clearance.

“The ministry wishes to state categorically that it did not authorise, approve, or direct the said blood-testing exercise.

“It further emphasises that no school principal is empowered to organise such an exercise or impose any related financial charge on students without the requisite approval from the appropriate authorities,” it stated.

Expressing concern over the N8,000 levy allegedly collected from students, the ministry clarified that it had no policy requiring payment for blood testing in public schools across the state.

“Any such collection, if established, was therefore undertaken without the authorisation of the ministry,” it said.

The ministry said that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had been invited to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It warned school principals and administrators against operating outside government guidelines, stressing that officers must exercise proper oversight over staff and school activities to prevent illegal actions.

“No individual is permitted to use his or her position to impose unauthorised charges or undertake activities capable of undermining the confidence of parents and the general public in the state’s education system,” the ministry added.

It urged parents, guardians, and members of the public to report any unauthorised collection of funds or irregular activities in public schools to the appropriate authorities for swift action.

The ministry assured members of the public that appropriate administrative sanctions would be applied against any official found culpable at the conclusion of the ongoing investigation. 

(NAN)