RVSG Condemns Alleged Forced Virginity Testing in Taabaa School, Commences Investigations
The Rivers State Ministry of Education has condemned reports of alleged forced virginity testing of female students at Government Comprehensive High School, (GCHS) Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The alleged incident reportedly involved members of a traditional institution in the community who visited the school to select female students for the exercise under the guise of offering scholarships and exercise books.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mina Tele-Ikuru, the Ministry said sixteen female students were allegedly selected for the exercise on September 17, 2026, prompting objections and a peaceful protest by the students.
The Ministry described the allegations as serious and disturbing, noting that they raise concerns about the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of schoolchildren. It stressed that no individual, traditional institution, community body or private organisation has the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.
The Ministry maintained that educational assistance, including scholarships and exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity and rights of beneficiaries. It disclosed that an investigation had commenced to establish the facts surrounding the incident, assuring that appropriate action, including referral to relevant authorities, would be taken against anyone found culpable.
The Ministry also cautioned traditional institutions and community organisations against engaging in activities involving the selection, examination or testing of female students for virginity, whether directly or indirectly. It further directed all schools across Rivers State to uphold the highest standards of child protection and ensure that students are not subjected to degrading, coercive or invasive practices under the guise of cultural traditions, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures or community development initiatives.
The Ministry assured the affected students, their parents and guardians, and the wider school community that their concerns were being taken seriously. It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of every student in the state.
