In a bid to prevent students from roaming the streets during school hours, the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has warned against truancy and urged parents to support the agency in its awareness campaign.

Commissioner in the Ministry, Mrs. Funmilayo Efuwape gave the warning during an awareness visit to schools in Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu, saying the Ministry’s task force would be going around during school hours to apprehend wandering students.

Mrs. Efuwape, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi,  explained that “the task force has designed yellow and red cards that will be issued to anyone apprehended; first offenders when caught will be given a yellow card indicating a warning to prevent child abuse with a token as fine, while second offenders will have red cards, which stands for no more excuses but punishment”.

Responding, the Principal, Adeola Odutola College (OOC), Mr. Omotayo Adeko, who also is the Secretary of the Association of Principals in the zone, appreciated the government for the initiative, saying schools had been looking forward to such a drastic step to curb the excesses of truancy in the society.

Also speaking, the Principal, Remo Secondary School, (RSS), Sagamu, Mrs. Olubunmi Saidu assured that the school management would ensure a thorough monitoring of students to ensure compliance, expressing gratitude to the Ministry for its concern for the future of the students.