The main opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the parading of students to welcome the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to the North East Region, describing it as exploitation.

The NDC stated that the exploitation of valuable learning time for political gains was unacceptable and "must be condemned by all well-meaning educationists in the country."

Dr. Bawumia, who is the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the December general elections, arrived in the North East Region on Monday as part of his nationwide campaign tour.

He was welcomed to Walewale by his supporters, which included senior high school students in their school uniforms.

However, the NDC said the involvement of schoolchildren during school hours was wrong because his visit was a political visit and not a state visit.

In a statement, the NDC Walewale Constituency Communications Officer, Mashood Issifu Mahama, accused the NPP of coercing headteachers to line up the students on the streets of Walewale to welcome its flagbearer.

"It is deeply concerning that headteachers are coerced into diverting students from their classrooms to serve as cheerleaders for political campaigns. Parents entrust their children to schools with the expectation that they will receive quality education, not be used as political pawns," he said.

He urged the leadership to join in condemning the use of students as political party cheerleaders, noting that "schools are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, not platforms for political theatrics."

The NDC Communication Officer added that "it is unjustifiable to sacrifice the educational development of students for the political agenda of the Vice President, H.E. Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia."