The arrest of Stella Nwadigo, a teacher at Christ-Mitots International School, Ikorodu, Lagos State for physically assaulting one of her pupils, Abayomi Michael is the latest incident of abuse and dehumanisation of school children by highly temperamental, impatient and abusive teachers, most of them sadist with no core training in child care, guidance and patience.
This is not the first time incidents like this will be reported. While it is very prevalent in public schools, teachers in some private schools are fast catching up with the ugly trend inflicting physical and emotional pain on students under their care. This disturbing conduct highlights the need for urgent attention and action to protect vulnerable school children from abuse.
This particular incident involving Nwadigo and the three-year old Abayomi Michael is even more heartbreaking considering the age of the victim. In a viral video that surfaced online last week, the mindless and brutal teacher was seen repeatedly slapping the child for not correctly writing the number six as she instructed.
Thank God she was apprehended. One could only imagine how many of such ill-treatment pupils under her have suffered. Obviously, it was not the first time Nwadigo would be subjecting her pupils to that kind of maltreatment. She did not even think that her several slaps on the right ear of the boy may damage his eardrum, which can lead to deafness unwarranted. She also did not think that by that gruesome humiliation, she was deflating his self-esteem.
Like similar incidents in the past, this latest one could have been swept under the carpet if the disturbing video had not found its way across blogs and social media platforms, sparking outrage from concerned Nigerians. The woman could have escaped with it and continued her act of wickedness against helpless children, unfortunate to be under her care.
Institutions of learning, especially nursery, primary and secondary schools, should be safe, warm, and protective environments for all children. It should not be a place for constant battery and the highest form of child cruelty. This will increase the phobia for going to school and learning. It will also have a strong emotional and psychological impact on children.
We thank the management of Christ-Mitots International School for suspending Nwadigo and describing the development as "unacceptable and contrary” to the school’s values and principles. But we fault their claim of being "deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care, and dignity." Assuming the incessant slaps on the minor had led to a more fatal accident, the school like their contemporaries would have applied every trick in the book to cover up all in a bid to protect their name and remain in business.
Again, the school cannot be so ignorant not to know that Nwadigo and perhaps some others on their payroll have been doing the same thing. What about the recruitment of the teachers, how was it done? How well have they been trained to maintain the right temperament while getting the pupils to fulfil assignments or tasks? These are key issues to look into.
It surely does not seem like Nwadigo is remorseful. For someone who knows how her actions have infuriated people, it was expected that she would beg for mercy and ask for forgiveness. With that, she can even be pardoned, or the court may apply leniency if her lawyers beg along that line. But she reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her when she appeared before Magistrate M.O. Kusanu at the Ogba Magistrate Court last Thursday. It clearly showed that we are dealing with an animal in human skin, and she should face the consequences of her action.
We call on the Lagos State Government to pursue this case to its logical conclusion. It should be widely reported, and the final outcome should serve as a deterrent to other teachers who are in the habit of betraying the trust parents place in them to care for and educate their children.
In all, the case largely underscores the importance of ensuring that teachers are properly trained and equipped to manage classrooms and student behaviour. They should also be held accountable for their actions. Also, effective policies and procedures for reporting and addressing incidents of abuse should be implemented. Schools should also provide support and counselling for students who have experienced abuse and generally promote a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness.
The schools may not be able to do all of these alone, so we implore governments at all levels, educational authorities, and civil society organizations to work together to address this issue and ensure that schools are safe places and truly supportive environments for all students.
