Faith Nwonye, a 30-year-old teacher, has been arrested for reportedly beating an eight-year-old pupil into a coma at Landmark School Mgbakwu, located in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the Commissioner for Education, addressed journalists on Monday, disclosing that the state government has permanently shut down the school amist this disturbing incident.
Chuma-Udeh summoned both the school’s proprietor and Nwonye to explain the circumstances that led to the severe mistreatment of the primary two pupil. The Commissioner emphasized that the closure was not solely due to the incident but also because the school was operating illegally.
“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,” Chuma-Udeh stated.
The case has been handed over to the police for further investigation, and the Commissioner is awaiting directives from the Governor. She warned parents against enrolling their children in unapproved schools, stating, “Any parent who is enrolling his/her child in an illegal school is doing so at his/her own peril.”
Chuma-Udeh expressed deep concern over the child’s condition, noting that the doctor has given only a 20 percent chance of survival. “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%,” she said.
The Commissioner promised that the teacher would face legal consequences. “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,” Chuma-Udeh added.
She claimed that Anambra State has a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against children, women, and any other persons, aligning with the stance of the current administration and the Governor’s directives.
