The removal of the principal, Mrs. Coker and the teacher, Mrs. Balogun was announced by the Lagos State Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf. The Vice-Principal is now the School Principal on acting capacity
The Commissioner, who also stated that the Ministry has begun investigation into the allegation of sexual assault at Queens College Yaba, urged members of the public to report cases of abuse against children to the Ministry.
Speaking on the flogging of Ogechi Anyalewechi, Yusuf said: “Our attention was drawn to the online story of the flogging of the school girl at Evas Adelaja Grammar School and as a responsible government; we sent our officials to the school and subsequently set up a committee to investigate the flogging. We found out that what the pupil did was wrong, but it does not warrant the kind of punishment inflicted on her. Following our investigation, the Ministry of Education has removed the principal and the teacher involved. They are to report to the Education District Office.”
Ogechi, a Senior Secondary School 2 student, was punished after a senior prefect of the school, simply identified as Zainab, complained to the principal that Ogechi returned a slap she gave her for being rude.
Teachers, who took Ogechi to their staff room, allegedly asked her to pull up her uniform and there-after gave her lashes of cane on her bare buttocks. They inflicted injuries on her which landed her in hospital at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Ikeja.
Some Nigerians took to Facebook to applaud the government’s decision.
One
of them, Adeoye Hassan said: “The
punishment to this culpable act will serve as deterrent to people who abuse the
power entrusted with them. It will also curb the excessive
molestation/humiliation of youths.”
Yisa Olakunle said: “Demoting them
is enough as punishment rather than dismissing them. I will suggest posting
them to another school.”
Eyiowuawi Skelly-bim has this to say:
“The school authority has violated sections of the Child Rights Law of Lagos
State and if they were taken to the court, their punishment will be more severe.”
Duke Niphemmy San said: “This is a
serious issue, the dignity of the girl child has been abused and her right has
been crushed. It’s contrary to the Child Right Act. This should serve as a
lesson to all abusers of minors.”
Adedayo Osho chipped in: “Sanity is
regaining its foothold in our educational system. This will serve as eye opener
to those uncultured school stakeholders who are recalcitrant to change with
civility.”
Bakare Taiwo said: “This is just a
tip of the iceberg. A lot is happening in public schools that require government
urgent intervention. People just take laws into their hands and abuse students,
all because they enjoy free education.”
Modupe Fafowora said on the issue: “The
school Principals and staff need orientation on what should be their relationship
with students and how to manage crises in their various schools. Most of them
lack school management skills, especially in dealing with sensitive issues
concerning discipline of the students. Please take note of these misdemeanors.”
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