Police in Anambra state have detained a 30-year-old teacher for allegedly assaulting an 8-year-old student, resulting in the child falling into a coma. The Anambra state government has permanently shut down Landmark School Mgbakwu in the Awka North Local Government Area following the incident.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced the closure during a press briefing on Monday. The school’s proprietor and the implicated teacher, Faith Nwonye, were summoned to explain the events that led to the assault on the primary two student.
Chuma-Udeh explained that the decision to shut down the school was not only due to the assault but also because the school was operating illegally. She expressed deep sorrow over the situation, noting that the child’s chances of survival were just 20 percent, according to medical reports.
“We received this unfortunate incident from an illegal school in Mgbakwu that a child was beaten to a coma over the weekend,” Chuma-Udeh said. “On behalf of the State Government, we invited the proprietress of the illegal school as well as the teacher who purportedly beat the child. We’ve handed the matter to the police for further investigations, as we await Mr Governor’s directives. Meanwhile, the school is closed down indefinitely because it’s not supposed to exist in the first instance.”
Chuma-Udeh warned parents about the dangers of enrolling their children in unapproved schools and called running an illegal school in Anambra a criminal offense. She emphasized that violence against children is strictly condemned by the state.
“Whether the school is legal or not, it’s criminal to beat a child. According to the doctor, the chances of survival of the child is 20%. As soon as the police are done, the teacher will face other institutions against child rights. She’s going to have the full wrath of the law brought upon her over her actions. Anambra state abhors violence to children, women, and any other person. It’s not part of this administration and Mr. Governor is against such,” she added.
The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of school regulations in Anambra state.