From Rashidat Suleiman ,Minna
Niger State House of Assembly has called on the Executive Governor of Niger State to give executive order to ban the celebration of Markers Day/Sign out in all Secondary and Tertiary Institutions (Public and Private) in Niger State.
This was sequel to a motion raised by member representing Tafa constituency Muhammad Sani Idris at the plenary.
The lawmaker explained that sometimes these students under the guise of celebrations engage in immoral activities while miscreants also take advantage of the situation and cause mayhem within the neighborhood were such celebrations take place.
Muhammad Sani Idris said that these activities if left unchecked can undermine the state’s educational system’s aim of promoting a holistic development of student’s intellect so that they can become capatble individuals that will achieve their full potential and, in the future, contribute to the society.
Sani further explain that the ongoing trend of “signing out” from schools is presumably originally intended to be a celebratory ceremony by final year students who mark the end of their examinations with parties, celebration and writing of farewell messages on each other’s uniforms or white T- shirts.
The lawmaker said that these “signing out” held within or outside the premises of school compound have recently been marred by unruly behavior with rising incidents of misconduct especially because many aggrieved students use the opportunity to address unresolved issues or conflicts amongst themselves thus creating tense and uncomfortable atmosphere that sometimes escalates into full blown fights.
Muhammad Sani Idris said students begin preparing for their “signing out” from the beginning of their last academic year, more emphasis and focus is placed on it. He said it overshadows the student’s strive for excellence, achievement and progress, making them wander from academic focus as concentration becomes centered on the “signing out”.