The Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all school excursions, field trips, inter-school sports competitions, and other activities that require students to leave school premises due to rising security concerns across the state.
The directive, which applies to both public and private schools, was conveyed in a circular issued by the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bamidele Oyinloye.
According to the ministry, the move is part of precautionary measures introduced to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and other members of staff amid the current security situation in the state.
The circular, addressed to the Executive Chairman of TESCOM, Permanent Secretaries, Tutors-General, Local Inspectors of Education, principals, and head teachers, stated that all previously approved excursions and outdoor activities have been cancelled indefinitely.
The ministry explained that the directive became necessary to protect schoolchildren and staff from potential security threats, stressing that students’ welfare and safety remain the government’s top priority.
School administrators were instructed to immediately halt all activities involving the movement of students outside school compounds, regardless of any prior approval already granted by the ministry.
Mrs. Oyinloye emphasised that no academic or extracurricular programme should endanger the lives of students, insisting that the protection of children must always come first.
She also directed schools to strengthen internal monitoring and maintain close collaboration with security agencies within their communities to ensure prompt response to any potential threat.
Schools were further advised to ensure students remain within school premises during school hours and to immediately report any suspicious activities or movements around their environments to law enforcement authorities.
The ministry stated that the directive takes immediate effect and will remain in place until the security situation improves.
The decision has sparked varying reactions among students, parents, and other education stakeholders across the state.
While some students expressed disappointment over the suspension of planned excursions and sporting activities, many parents applauded the government’s decision, describing it as a necessary step toward safeguarding children.
A parent, Mrs. Funke Adeyemi, said the directive was appropriate considering the current security challenges, noting that no activity is worth risking the lives of students.
Some school administrators also admitted that the decision may affect schools that had already made financial and logistical arrangements for trips and competitions. Despite this, many stakeholders agreed that the precautionary measure was justified under the prevailing circumstances.
