In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a 30-year-old teacher at Landmark School Mgbakwu, located in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been arrested for allegedly beating an eight-year-old primary two pupil into a coma.
According to statements made by the Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during a press briefing held in her office on Monday, the state government has taken swift action by permanently shutting down the school in light of the egregious act.
Chuma-Udeh further revealed that she has summoned both the school’s proprietor and the accused teacher, Faith Nwonye, to provide explanations regarding the disturbing incident that resulted in the brutalisation of the young pupil.
Moreover, the commissioner emphasised that the closure of the school was not only prompted by the alarming incident but also due to its lack of proper authorization and legality.
She said, “We received this unfortunate incident from an illegal school in Mgbakwu that a child was beaten to a coma over the weekend.
“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 investigation 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. Any parent who enrols his/her child in an illegal school is doing so at his/her own peril.
“To the proprietors of private schools, anyone running an unapproved school in Anambra is a criminal. It’s a criminal offence to run an illegal school in the state.”
She did, however, express sadness over the development, noting that the victim’s chances of survival on admission to the hospital were 20%, according to the medical doctor.
“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 are 20%,” she stated.
She warned that perpetrators were doing so at their peril, noting that the teacher would be brought to book.
She added, “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 against children, women, and any other person. It’s not part of this administration, and Mr Governor is against it.”
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