Ogun govt suspends teacher over pupil’s death

Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has suspended the teacher who punished Monday Ariyo, an SS2 student of Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-emi.

The Newsmen  reported that Ariyo died on Friday at the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, after a teacher allegedly flogged him and asked him to perform 162 frog jumps.

The teacher was reported to have taken a trash can to Ariyo’s class and told the pupils not to break it, but the deceased replied the teacher, saying the dustbin was bought with the students’ money.

Ariyo who was flogged and punished because of his response collapsed.

Following the incident, the state government in a post on its X handle on Sunday, said the teacher has been arrested and the Principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, queried for allowing corporal punishment to be used on the pupil against the established rules and regulations in the state.

The post added that a letter of condolence signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry 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.

Part of the post reads: “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 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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Felix Agbesanwa in a statement obtained by Newsmen , said the deceased was not the only one punished.

Agbesanwa explained that the whole class was beaten and Ariyo on regaining consciousness said he was involved in a bike accident prior to the time he was punished.