A secondary school teacher has been suspended by the Ogun State government, through the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, for allegedly to have beating and punishing an SS2 student, Monday Arijo of Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-emi to death.
The incident led to the immediate arrest of the teacher, as the Principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo was promptly queried for allowing corporal punishment to be used on the pupil against the established rules and regulations in the state.
The principal was given 24 hours to explain her actions and why disciplinary actions should not be taken against her for acting against the instructions of constituted authority.
Subsequently, 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 letter, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the late learner as an exceptional pupil who would be missed by his colleagues, the school, and the state at large.
It then prayed for requisite strength for the family to bear the irreplaceable loss as well as for the repose of the departed soul.
How the incident happened
It was gathered that, the teacher had reportedly brought a dustbin to Ariyo’s class with instructions that the students should not break the dustbin.
Ariyo had jokingly replied the teacher that the dustbin was bought with the students’ money, a response which was said to have infuriated the teacher.
The teacher was said to have reported to the principal who instructed that the student be punished.
Acting on the principal’s instruction, the teacher Ariyo was made to perform 162 frog jumps and was beaten 24 strokes of the cane. This made the student fell and collapsed.
Witness says teacher and some staffers of the school who were at the scene delayed in seeking medical attention for the student, and by the time the did, it was late.
Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola said the student was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, the state capital.
In her words she stated “He was rushed to FMC Idi-Aba for medical attention and he died today (October 25). The deceased body has been deposited at the Ayetoro mortuary for autopsy. An investigation is ongoing.”
