The Rivers State Government has launched an investigation into allegations that 16 feminine college students of Government Comprehensive High (*16*), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area, had been chosen for pressured virginity testing.
The Ministry of Education mentioned in a press release launched on Thursday that folks allegedly appearing on behalf of a standard establishment visited the varsity on September 17 and chosen the scholars underneath the pretext of offering scholarships and train books.
The ministry mentioned the incident reportedly sparked objections and a peaceable protest by college students, elevating issues concerning the safety of kids in colleges.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mina Tele-Ikuru, described the allegations as a severe risk to the scholars’ “dignity, privacy and fundamental rights”, stressing that no conventional establishment, neighborhood group or particular person has the authority to topic college students to virginity testing or different varieties of abuse.
She mentioned scholarships and different academic help have to be offered with out circumstances that endanger college students or violate their rights.
The ministry additionally directed colleges throughout Rivers State to implement child-protection requirements and forestall degrading, coercive or invasive practices carried out within the title of tradition, academic help or neighborhood improvement.
It assured the affected college students and their households that the allegations are being taken severely and reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to defending the protection and rights of each scholar within the state.
