The government in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben Goong, said the investigative panel had two weeks within which to submit its report.
The statement, however, did not disclose the identity of the members of the panel.
A parent, Chinenye Okoye, had on Saturday accused a Biology teacher living on the school premises, Mr. Olaseni Oshifala, of sexually assaulting her daughter.
In setting up the panel, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, urged its members “to do a thorough investigation to unravel the truth behind the allegations.”
The panel was also mandated to “make recommendations to government on how to deal with the situation based on the principles of truth, justice and fairness to all parties.”
The statement advised parents, guardians, students and staff of Queens College who may have credible information on this matter to avail same to the committee through the telephone number: 07034613096 and email: saniabdu59@yahoo.com.
Anwukah assured the general public, particularly parents and guardians whose children are in any of the Unity Schools and other Federal Government Colleges that their children are in safe hands.
According to him, government will continue to do everything possible within the ambit of the law to protect their wards in all government schools across the country, including Queens College, Yaba in Lagos.
The Minister called on all parents to remain calm and avoid taking rash decisions that may affect their wards adversely.
The Parent-Teacher Association of the school had on Monday, set up a panel to also investigate the alleged sexual harassment levelled against the teacher.
The Chairman of the PTA, Beatrice Akhetuanen, had told a news conference that the panel would be working with the Police Station in Sabo, Yaba to investigate the teacher accused of the act.
Punch
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