The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has expelled 42 students over examination malpractice after concluding investigations into allegations against them.
The expelled students comprise 31 Higher National Diploma students and 11 National Diploma students drawn from various institutes and programmes of the institution.
The disciplinary action was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Academic Board Matters Division, Ibrahim Esin.
Esin said the students were investigated by the institution’s Examination Malpractice Committee after they were accused of violating examination rules.
According to him, the committee found the students guilty after due investigation, noting that their actions contravened the Matriculation Oath they swore to upon admission.
He said the expulsions were approved in line with the provisions of the Polytechnic’s Students’ Handbook.
Esin added that the disciplinary measure had effectively terminated the affected students’ relationship with the institution.
A breakdown showed that the Institute of Finance and Management Studies recorded the highest number of expulsions, with 23 students.
The Institute of Technology followed with eight, while four students each were expelled from the Institute of Information and Communication Technology and the Centre for Continuing Education.
Two students from the Institute of Health Technology and one from the Institute of General Studies were also affected.
The students were drawn from various programmes, including Mechatronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Strategic Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Medical Imaging Technology.
Others were enrolled in Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Development, Social Development, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Industrial and Labour Relations, among other programmes.
The management also directed the expelled students to surrender any property belonging to the polytechnic still in their possession.
Esin said such property should be handed over to the students’ respective Heads of Department or other authorities designated by the institution.
The expulsions followed the completion of investigations by the Examination Malpractice Committee and subsequent approval of the disciplinary measures by the appropriate authorities of the polytechnic.