Ekiti Dismisses 3 Teachers Over Alleged Sexual Molestation Of Pupils
Three public secondary school teachers recently accused of molesting pupils in their schools sexually have been dismissed by Ekiti State Government.
The trio, until their dismissal were, Grade levels 12, 14 and 13 Grade Level officers respectively, in the teaching profession.
Their dismissal was announced after the plenary of the board of the state Teaching Service Commission held on Thursday 27th February, 2020.
The TESCOM Chairman, Hon Babatunde Abegunde who spoke on the issue, stated that the act of the teachers amounted to gross misconduct unbecoming of those entrusted with moulding the destiny of younger ones.
Abegunde explained that the penalty meted out to them was in line with the Public Service Rules and the State Teachers’ Manual.
He noted that the Commission followed the Due process as laid down by extant rules to avoid miscarriage of Justice in arriving at its decision.
The TESCOM boss further said that the erring staffs were first queried and interrogated at the school level before repeating the process at the Commission.
According to the Chairman, the trio appeared before the Commission’s Disciplinary Committee which, after thorough investigation that took it to affected schools and communities, now made appropriate recommendations.
Commenting on the matter, the State solicitor General, Mr. L. B. Ojo, who is a member of the Board of TESCOM commended the management for giving the officers fair hearing and ensuring quick dispensation of justice.
The State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Comrade Odugbesan expressed displeasure on the misconduct of the teachers stating that his union is a disciplined body that would not condone acts of Child molestation and sexual harassment among its members.
The Commission chairman used the occasion to appeal to the teaching and non-teaching staff to maintain discipline in their schools.
He reminded them that they are holding positions of trust which they must strive hard not to betray.
He concluded that the Commission is cooperating with other stakeholders to draw up measures that will ensure that such actions become history in our schools.
