EFFECTS OF CULTISM ON EDUCATION

Disruption of Academic Calendar
An institution with high cultism rate will always be closed down because of the frequent fights, clashes, unrest and blood-shed. The school authority will be forced to close down the school and students will not have a choice but to flee for their lives and safety. A school can be closed for days, months and even years. Students are prone to spend more years in school.
Loss of Lives and Properties
There is an adage that says ‘when two elephant fight, the grass suffers’. When crises associated with cultism arises, properties, lives of victims and innocent people will be lost, Cultists are known to be violent, merciless and always high on drugs. When they fight against the school authorities, buildings, structures, equipment and properties may be burnt or destroyed.
Fall in Education Standard
Frequent closure of schools, damages of properties, loss of lives and all other consequences associated with cultism result to the fall in education standard in Nigeria. Parents will find it hard to send their wards to such schools; good and experienced lecturers will prefer to be transferred to another school where there safety will be secured.
Fear and Insecurity
Students will always be in fear in schools with this menace. They will not be totally focused on their studies as they will not have peace of mind. Students will always be cautioned and will restrict their movement so as not to fall victims of rape, assaults and death.
Breakdown of Social Values
Cultism does not have respect for established moral values and norms of the society. It exhibits high level of moral decadence and social malaise.
Expulsion
Students caught to be member of secret cults usually face the risk of being expelled or rusticated from school and may never have the opportunity of re-enrolling into other schools as their names and offence committed might be published and announced through the print media.
Untimely Deaths
Violent clashes among rival cult groups have led to the untimely death of promising youths who would have done their immediate families and society a whole lot of good. The hopes of the parents of such youths are cut short and may be traumatized for life.
Spiritual Problems
It has been observed that many cult members, even years after denouncing their membership still find it difficult to have proper relationship with God and come to terms with their spiritual lives. This is as a result of their past criminal deeds. Therefore, if one must walk right with God, it is better not to get one’s hands stained with blood and other criminal activities.
Violence
Activities of cult members are usually violent since 1990s leading to destruction of lives and property. It has led to abduction or kidnapping of persons, and member of their household for the payment of ransom.
 10.Rape
      Male cultists may sometimes be required to pass an additional                        hurdle before becoming full members including raping a popular female student or a female of staff. Prospective female members may be required to stand a lot of rounds of sexual intercourse. This may lead to high level of STDs including HIV/AIDS.
 11.Theft
   Cult members are charged annual membership fees if between ten thousand naira to thirty thousand naira. Cultists whose parents cannot afford excess money for their up keep will usually resort to theft to be able to meet their obligations.