Ogun govt shuts Obada Grammar School, suspends principal over student’s death
The Ogun State Government has shut down Obada Grammar Institution in Obada, Idi-emi, following the death of Monday Ariyo, an SS2 student of the school.
Ariyo died last Friday at the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, after a teacher allegedly flogged him 24 strokes of the cane and asked him to perform 162 frog jumps.
The teacher, who was arrested and suspended, reportedly flogged the deceased over his response regarding a trash can brought to his classroom.
The Principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, who was also issued a query for allowing such punishment on students against the established rules and regulations in the state, has also been suspended.
Governor Dapo Abiodun ordered the closure of the school and directed that a panel be set up to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident.
Abiodun pledged that those found accountable by the investigation’s findings would be subject to the full force of the law.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology visited the family of the late student on Monday to offer their condolences and express the Ministry’s sorrow over their loss.
The team comprised the Director of the Secondary and Higher Education Department in the Ministry, the Principals General of the Egba and Yewa Divisions, the Zonal Education Officer for Imeko Afon, representatives of ANCOPPS, the Ogun State President of the Trade Union Congress, and the Ogun State Chairman of ASSUS.
The Principals General of the Egba and Yewa Divisions, as well as the Director of Secondary and Higher Education, who spoke during the visit, pledged the support of the state government to the family during this challenging time and assured them that a thorough investigation would be launched to determine the facts surrounding the incident.
They reiterated the government’s commitment to learners’ safety, the creation of a more supportive school environment, and justice for the bereaved family over the sudden death of their son.
A condolence letter to commiserate with the bereaved family over their loss, as well as a cash gift of N500,000, were handed over to the representative of the deceased family.
