The Anambra State Government has taken swift action against Landmark School Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area, shutting it down indefinitely and arresting a 30-year-old teacher, Faith Nwonye, for allegedly beating an eight-year-old pupil into a coma.
According to The PUNCH, the Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, addressed journalists on Monday, condemning the incident and revealing that the school was operating illegally.
She stated that the proprietress and Nwonye were summoned to explain the incident, which occurred over the weekend.
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 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. Any parent who is enrolling 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.”
Chuma-Udeh emphasized that the school’s closure was not only due to the brutal incident but also because of its illegality.
She warned proprietors of private schools that running an unapproved school in Anambra is a criminal offense.
The commissioner expressed sadness over the development, citing the victim’s slim chances of survival (20% according to medical doctors).
She assured that the teacher would face the full wrath of the law, including institutions against child rights.
The Anambra State Government has zero tolerance for violence against children, women, and any other person, and this incident will not be taken lightly.
The police are investigating the matter, and the teacher will be brought to book.
