The management of Government Comprehensive High School (SNR) in Taabaa, Rivers State, has condemned allegations that a local monarch subjected female students to forced virginity tests.
The school administration expressed strong opposition to the alleged practice, stating that it contravenes the dignity and fundamental rights of the girl child. The incident has caused significant tension within the Khana Local Government Area, where the institution is located.
The controversy emerged following allegations that a traditional ruler mandated the examinations, an act the school management has described as unacceptable in a modern educational setting.
The school’s stance comes at a time when child protection and gender-based violence remain critical issues in Nigerian educational institutions. Human rights advocates have long argued that virginity testing is medically baseless and serves to violate the privacy and bodily autonomy of young girls.
In Rivers State, as in many other parts of the country, the Child Rights Act provides legal protections against the exploitation and maltreatment of minors. The forced administration of such tests could potentially constitute a breach of these statutory protections, placing the school and the local community under intense scrutiny.
While the identity of the specific monarch involved has not been officially confirmed, the management of the Taabaa-based school has made its position clear, prioritising the safety and dignity of its female learners over traditional dictates.
Local stakeholders are currently awaiting a formal response from the Rivers State Ministry of Education and the Khana traditional leadership. At the time of writing, no official investigation has been launched by the state government to address the specific allegations at the school.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
