The Ondo State Government has distanced itself from reports that students of a public secondary school in Akure were asked to pay ₦8,000 for a blood test.
The state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the reported exercise at CAC Adu Memorial Grammar School, Oke-Aro, was not sanctioned by the government.
According to the ministry, neither it nor the relevant authorities approved the screening or authorised the school to collect money from students for the exercise.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Bisi Lawani, on Tuesday, the government said, “The Ministry wishes to state categorically that it did not authorise, approve or direct the said blood-testing exercise.”
It added that school heads could not independently organise such programmes or demand payments from students without obtaining the necessary approval.
The ministry said it was particularly concerned by reports that each student was expected to pay ₦8,000.
“The Ministry has not approved any policy requiring students in public schools to pay such an amount for blood testing. Any such collection, if established, was therefore undertaken without the authorisation of the Ministry,” it said.
The government also disclosed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had reportedly become involved in the matter and was investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged collection.
“The Ministry has also been informed of the reported involvement of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the matter to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and establish the facts,” it said.
The ministry warned principals and school administrators against allowing unauthorised activities or charges within their schools.
It stressed that school authorities must properly monitor activities involving students and ensure that all government directives are followed.
The ministry further appealed to parents, students and members of the public to alert the appropriate authorities whenever they encounter suspicious collections or other irregularities in public schools.
It said anyone found culpable after investigation would face appropriate administrative or legal action.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring accountability in the state’s public education system.