Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has explained the main reason behind the closure of Blessed Wisdom Model School in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Less than one month ago, the case of a two-year-old female child attending the school who was injured with a cut tongue and broken femur emerged which led to the temporary closure of the school following petitions by the family.
Since the closure, reports have claimed that the school’s closure was done without due diligence. It was also reported that 600 innocent children have been adversely affected by the government’s decision.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the commissioner Professor Chuma-Udeh explained that the government of Anambra State only put a temporary ban on the Onitsha-based school.
She stressed that the reason was to give the school management ample time to placate the family of the injured child being part of the recommendations of the committee set up by government.
The circumstances behind the injury were whether the child fell while playing or a book shelf fell on her.
The Education Commissioner pointed out that the Ministry acted on a petition to Governor Chukwuma Soludo through the Ministry of Education, lamenting, however, that the school management remained recalcitrant, even though the state only arbitrated between the school and the aggrieved parents.
She noted that in spite of the happenings, the state government was dragged to court by the proprietor of the school despite writing an apology letter to the state government through the State House of Assembly where the Ministry was mandated to re-open the school.
The Commissioner who stressed that every Anambra child belongs to the State Government, said that the Ministry of Justice has been notified to continue with the matter.
The Education Commissioner further explained that Governor Soludo as an educationist is desirous of raising technologically competent children which has over the months translated into accolades, awards and achievements.
She announced that part of the achievements of the Governor in the sector include recruitment of five thousand teachers, improvement of the teachers’ welfare, scholarship scheme for 118 students in secondary schools across riverine areas, among others.
Speaking to the media, however, the Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ifeanyinwa Nkamigbo, said that the school management had apologised to the State Ministry of Education and the family.
Mrs. Nkamigbo stressed that the lawyer does not have the mandate of the school to write the purported letter of apology written through the State House of Assembly, revealing that they had also accepted to begin to cater for the welfare of the child.
