Lagos—School owners, under the aegis of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, have described the recent sex video involving some students of Chrisland Schools, Lagos, as a reflection of moral decadence in the society.
The association, which spoke through its National President, Yomi Otubela, yesterday, said the students involved, by their actions, reflected the level of decay in the moral gauge of the society.
It, therefore, called for a resetting of the moral compass and a return to Godly behaviour and upbringing of the young ones.
Otubela said: “While we condemn in its entirety the act, as depicted in the said video involving the minors, we appeal for caution from members of the public and enjoin them to refrain from making unsavoury comments over the issue, for the sake of the mental well being of the minors involved.
“Moreover, we have confidence in the ability of the police authority, the officials of the Ministry of Education and the school authority to do the needful over the issue.
“Going forward, we wish to address the issue of moral decadence in schools with a view to minimising the occurrence of issues around it.
“The acts portraying moral decadence are not exclusive to schools as the issue cuts across every aspect of our society. Since children are a reflection of the society they live in, it, therefore, shows that a concerted effort will be needed to nip the malaise in the bud.
“Sadly, moral decadence has eaten deep into the moral fabrics of the society and the result is what we are witnessing today in the society including our educational institutions.
“Most studies show that parents are to take the larger portion of the blame for children’s behaviour, hence, parents must take a greater role in shaping their children’s future by inculcating morally acceptable behaviour in them. They must bear in mind that children’s moral development begins at home. The school is to complement their efforts.
“Unfortunately, parents are shying away from this responsibility rather they prefer to shift this responsibility to the schools.
“This neglect of parental responsibility from home has made it a herculean task for the school to achieve much progress.
Otubela called on parents to pay special attention to the emotional needs of their children, and to also take note of the fact that technological advances also shape how those children behave.
He also charged school management to be alive to their responsibility and take decisive actions on issues bordering on morality among students.
On the decision to shut down all campuses of Chrisland Schools, the NAPPS boss said, “While we are in support of the swift move by the Lagos State government to investigate the issue, we view with concern the recent announcement of the state government to shut down all branches of Chrisland Schools in the state over the said sex video.
“We feel shutting down all the branches of the school might deny other children their rights to learn more and for those in the terminal classes the right to continue their preparation for their final examinations.”
LASG speaks
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has urged the public to be patient regarding the outcome of investigation into the matter, since the probe panel just started its work.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso, speaking on the Chrisland School incident, described the act as “a monumental family and societal tragedy”.
He said it was all emotionally disturbing for parents, the school and the government.
The commissioner said the government’s swift response to the matter was to stop its escalation, with the warning against spreading the video.
He however, declined further comments, “because the matter is still under investigation.”
Also, the Public Affairs Officer of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganiu Lawal, stated, while reacting to enquiry about the sitting of the panel: “As you are aware, the Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation of the Chrisland saga and I am sure the Police authority will share findings of their investigation at the appropriate time.”