A teacher, Mrs. Faith Nwoye, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for flogging a nine-year-old pupil to death.

The verdict was delivered by a special court handling Women and Children related matters in Awka.

The tragic incident occurred at Landmark International School in Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The pupil, Master Henry Okonkwo, died in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Awka after being beaten into a coma by Mrs. Nwoye.

Master Henry has since been buried in his hometown, Igbakwu, located in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state.

Expressing condolences to the Okonkwo family, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh shared the sorrow felt by the educational community and the state government. Represented at the burial by the Director of Schools in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeneke, Chuma-Udeh lamented the loss of a promising young life.

She noted, “Henry could not have died if he was enrolled in an approved school with qualified teachers.” Chuma-Udeh also reminded residents that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has declared the operation of illegal schools in the state as a criminal act.

The case has highlighted the importance of ensuring that schools operate legally and that teachers are properly qualified to avoid such tragic incidents in the future.