Anambra State has indefinitely shut down an “illegal” school after a teacher allegedly beat an 8-year-old pupil into a coma. The incident occurred at Landmark School in Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, confirmed the closure of the school and the arrest of the teacher, Faith Nwonye, who is 30 years old. Prof. Chuma-Udeh informed reporters about this on Monday from her office.

Prof. Chuma-Udeh explained that the school’s closure was due to both the violent incident and its illegal status. “We received this unfortunate incident from an illegal school in Mgbakwu that a child was beaten to coma over the weekend,” she said. “On behalf of the state government, we invited the proprietress of the illegal school as well as the teacher who purportedly beat the child.”

She emphasized that the school’s management acted criminally by operating without approval. “We’ve handed the matter to the police for further investigations, as we await Mr. Governor’s directives. Meanwhile, the school is closed down indefinitely because it’s not supposed to exist in the first instance,” she added.

Prof. Chuma-Udeh warned parents against enrolling their children in unapproved schools, saying, “Any parent who is enrolling his/her child in an illegal school is doing so at his/her own peril.”

She stressed that operating an illegal school in Anambra State is a criminal offense. “To the proprietors of private schools, anyone running an unapproved school in Anambra is a criminal. It’s a criminal offense to run an illegal school in the state.”

Addressing the incident, she said, “Whether the school is legal or not, it’s criminal to beat a child. According to the doctor, chances of survival of the child is 20%. As soon as the police are done, the teacher will face other institutions against child rights. She’s going to have the full wrath of the law brought upon her over her actions.”

“Anambra State abhors violence to children, women, and any other person. It’s not part of this administration, and Mr. Governor is against such,” Prof. Chuma-Udeh concluded.