Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all Chrisland Schools within the state, pending further investigations into a video showing students of the school engaged in group sex during a trip to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, following the controversies generated by the sex tape, which had gone viral.
Meanwhile, the management of Chrisland Schools suspended the 10-year-old girl in the viral video since April 14.
A copy of the suspension letter, sighted by Vanguard, accused the female student of taking part in a ‘Truth or Dare’ leading to the “immoral act”.
They were in Dubai to participate in the World School Games held between March 10 and 13.
The letter, dated April 14, 2022, signed by the Head Teacher, G. I. Azike, was entitled, “Indefinite suspension of …(names withheld).”
It read in part: “It was discovered that your daughter was involved in improper behaviour during the recently concluded World School Games in Dubai with a few of her counterparts wilfully participated in a game they called Truth or Dare’, a game which led her and a few other co-learners to carry out an immoral act after the lights-out instruction was given.
“In line with our core values centred on discipline, Chrisland Schools have zero tolerance for any improper behaviour and misconduct.
“A full-scale investigation has been done and the parents of all the culpable learners have been duly notified of the necessary punishment meted out on the learners.
“The parents gave their full cooperation realising the need to work with the school so that the learners can be corrected and be of expected proper behaviour henceforth.
“However, in the course of the school’s efforts to see how best we can help…who was a major participant in the whole incident, every effort to inform you as her parents about the incident and ensure that this improper behaviour is permanently corrected, has proved to be futile.
“We cannot as a school condone such. Consequently, (the student) is hereby placed on an indefinite suspension until you as the parents ensure that she is punished, adequately counselled and rehabilitated.”
Lagos govt steps in
The letter of from Lagos State government read in part: “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland Schools, which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“It is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the Commissioner of Police.
‘In view of the allegations, we are committed to ensuring that adequate medical and psychosocial support is provided.
“This is to reassure members of the public of the State Government’s commitment to safety and child protection, especially in ensuring that all child-centred institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Program.
“We also use this medium to remind the general public that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, commits an offence and is liable to a custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years. This includes “producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography”.
“Meantime, all Chrisland Schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations.”