The Oyo State Government has suspended all school excursions, field trips, inter-school sports competitions and other outdoor academic activities due to growing security concerns across the state. The directive affects both public and private schools and takes immediate effect.
The decision was contained in a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bamidele Oyinloye. The circular was addressed to key education stakeholders, including TESCOM officials, tutors-general, inspectors, principals and head teachers.
According to the ministry, the suspension is a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the lives of students, teachers and other school personnel. It also stated that all previously approved trips and external activities have been cancelled until further notice.
The directive instructs school administrators to keep students within school premises during school hours and strengthen internal monitoring. It also urged schools to report any suspicious activity around their environments to security agencies, noting that safety remains a top priority.
Reactions to the policy have been mixed, with some parents and stakeholders commending the government for prioritising student safety, while others expressed concern over disrupted academic and extracurricular plans. The government, however, said the suspension will remain in place until the security situation improves.