Virginity test: Principal to undergo psychiatric test

THE Ogun State government has directed the principal of Ajuwo High School, in Ifo Local Government Area, Mrs Olufunke Aladeojebi, who conducted virginity test on some female students in her school last December, to undergo psychiatric test to determine her mental state.

The government, in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, said this after considering an appraisal report submitted by a three-man panel headed by Alhaji Ambaliu Ishola, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

The commissioner accepted the recommendation that Mrs Aladeojebi should be relieved of her appointment, if found to be of unsound mind, while she should be demoted from grade level 16 to grade level 15 and recalled back to the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) headquarters if found to be sane.

The government also accepted the panel’s recommendation that the two health workers who collaborated with the principal in carrying out the virginity test should be referred to the Ministry of Health for disciplinary action.

The affected students are also to be referred to the State General Hospital for proper medical check-up and counseling, while Odubela and chairman, TESCOM, Ms Bukunola Onabanjo, had been directed to meet with and address members of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), staff and students of the school, so as to douse the tension generated by the issue.

According to the state government, teachers who had spent up to five years in the school, including the affected guidance counsellors, were to be redeployed immediately.

Odubela, while commenting on the decisions of government on the issue, said “with these decisions, we have finally laid to rest the issue of virginity test in Ajuwon High School.”