Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic demise of Master Henry Okonkwo, a pupil at Landmark International School, Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area. The young boy reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained after allegedly being beaten into a coma by a teacher.
Sources
indicate that the unfortunate incident occurred on Monday, May 20, 2024, when
30-year-old teacher Faith Nwoye purportedly subjected the eight-year-old pupil
to severe corporal punishment. Despite efforts to save him, Master Henry
Okonkwo passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, May 23, 2024.
Commissioner
Chuma-Udeh had previously summoned the accused teacher to account for the
brutalization of the child. Expressing dismay at the turn of events, she
highlighted the precarious nature of the victim's condition, with medical
professionals indicating only a 20% chance of survival.
The
school's legitimacy came under scrutiny, with Chuma-Udeh condemning its operation
as illegal. She emphasized the gravity of both running an unauthorized
educational institution and inflicting harm on a child, warning that perpetrators
would face consequences.
The
teacher, along with the school's proprietor, Mrs. Promise Ilo, was brought in
for questioning. While Nwoye admitted to disciplining the child, she contested
the severity of the punishment portrayed in reports.
The
matter has since been handed over to the authorities for a thorough
investigation. Meanwhile, Master Henry Okonkwo's untimely demise has prompted
an outpouring of grief and calls for justice. Commissioner Chuma-Udeh took to
her verified Facebook account to lament the loss, describing the young boy as
one with aspirations and dreams for the future.
"He
was a boy like any other, with hopes and aspirations. He went to school for a
better future but met a gruesome death at the hands of the people who were
supposed to help him achieve his life ambition," she wrote. "A quack
teacher in an illegal school bludgeoned him to death. We mourn a life nipped in
the bud! We mourn Henry Chukwuemeka Okonkwo! We mourn and we seek
justice!"
The
incident has sparked outrage within the community, underscoring the urgent need
for safeguards to protect the welfare of pupils and ensure the accountability
of educators.
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