Bauchi State Government has ordered the closure of the multi-billion naira ‘Sa’adu Zungur’ model primary and secondary school, Bauchi following the report it received that some senior students (boys and girls) conduct illegal marriages among themselves within the school.

Our correspondent gathered that male students used to pay the token sums of N500 as dowry to their female counterparts as precondition for their marriages even as classmates of both the ‘grooms and brides’ contribute money to purchase snacks being consumed at the ceremonies.

Sources in the school revealed that although male and female students study in separate classes in the school, the attention of the teachers were drawn to such illegal marriages only last week when an SS two student (name withheld) organised an illegal wedding ceremony at a free classroom, where the teachers heard cheers and noise that indicated a celebration.

This, according to the sources made the teachers to rush to the venue where the cheers emanated from and discovered that a wedding ceremony was taking place between the two students.

Our correspondent reports that the matter was then reported to the school Principal, Malam Ahmed Zailani, who also consulted the state ministry of education on the appropriate action to be taken against the erring boys and girls, the development that led to the instant closure of both the primary and secondary sections of the school.

Commenting on the matter in a press statement issued by his Special Assistant on communication, Yakubu Adamu, the state Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Education, Engineer Nuhu Gidado, who attributed the children’s illegal marriages to the threats of moral decadence in the society, said he had directed the immediate closure of the school on Friday, 10th March 2017 after being notified about the issue.

He added that a committee which comprises all directors in the state ministry of education, the school authority, teachers as well as the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) was constituted and tasked to investigate the matter and come up with a detailed and sincere report before the school would be re-opened. (Peoples Daily)

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