Faith Nwonye, a teacher at Landmark School Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been arrested for allegedly beating an 8-year-old pupil into a coma.
The state commissioner for education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday, May 20, 2024. She announced that the school had been permanently shut down.
“We received this unfortunate incident from an illegal school in Mgbakwu where a child was beaten into 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,” Chuma-Udeh stated.
The commissioner further explained that the incident has been handed over to the police for thorough investigation. “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.”
She emphasized the state’s stance on illegal educational institutions, declaring, “To the proprietors of private schools, anyone running an unapproved school in Anambra is a criminal. It’s a criminal offense to run an illegal school in the state.”
Chuma-Udeh condemned the brutal beating of the pupil, irrespective of the school’s legal status. “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%.”
The commissioner assured that Nwonye would face the full force of the law. “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,” she added.
Chuma-Udeh reiterated the state’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, stating, “Anambra state abhors violence against children, women, and any other person. It’s not part of this administration and Mr. Governor is against such.”