The Ogun State Government has suspended a teacher, Amzadjo Elijah, of Obada Grammar School, following the tragic death of a student, Monday Arijo, allegedly due to complications from a severe punishment.
The suspension was announced in a statement shared by the state government on its official X page on Sunday.
https://x.com/OGSG_Official/status/1850543504960754141?t=AL8NgsXKS48lJSJw4-tK5g&s=19
Arijo, a Senior Secondary School 2 student, reportedly died after spending ten days in the hospital. He had collapsed following a disciplinary action where he was made to perform 162 frog jumps and was subjected to 24 strokes of the cane. The punishment was allegedly ordered by the school principal after Arijo remarked that a dustbin in the school had been purchased using students’ contributions.
The state’s Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, which issued the suspension, also confirmed that the principal, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, has been queried for authorizing the punishment in violation of the state’s guidelines on corporal punishment. Onaolapo has been given 24 hours to justify her actions and explain why disciplinary measures should not be taken against her.
“The Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has suspended a teacher alleged to have beaten and punished one Master Monday Arijo, an SS2 student of Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-emi, which reportedly led to his demise,” the statement read.
The statement further revealed that the teacher involved had been immediately detained by authorities. It emphasized that the use of corporal punishment was against established rules and regulations in the state, highlighting the principal’s alleged failure to adhere to these guidelines.
Expressing its condolences, the government described Arijo as an exceptional student and promised to ensure justice for his family.
“A letter of condolence was sent to the bereaved family, commiserating with them on the sudden death of their loving son and promising to get justice for the family,” the statement noted. Signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the letter described the late Arijo as an exemplary student whose loss would be deeply felt by his peers, the school, and the state at large.
The statement concluded with a prayer for the family’s strength in bearing the irreplaceable loss and for the repose of Arijo’s soul.
